What is the purpose of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)?

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) aims to ensure transparency and public participation in government proceedings by mandating that meetings of public bodies be conducted in a manner that allows for the public to witness and understand the discussions and decisions being made. This initiative is rooted in the principle that government operates best when it is open to public scrutiny, fostering accountability among public officials.

The significance of this law is that it requires proper notice of meetings, establishes a framework for how meetings should be conducted, and allows for the public to attend and, in certain circumstances, participate in those meetings. By doing so, it upholds democratic values and gives citizens the opportunity to be informed and involved in the governance process.

Other options do not align with the primary intent of the OPMA. Establishing closed sessions for tax appeals, restricting discussions to tax-related matters, or providing confidential discussions among assessors would contradict the Act's goal of promoting open governance and public access. These functions might be part of specific procedures or regulations within the tax system but do not reflect the overarching purpose of the OPMA.