A Reported August Commissioners’ Emergency Meeting Raises Questions on Open Meetings Law Compliance for Bid Opening
By Carol A. Gasser Moore |
LAKELAND, Lanier County, Ga. — At the Lanier County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on Monday, September 8, Chairman Alex Lee issued what he called a “correction” regarding the county’s August emergency called meeting.
Lee told those present that the gathering was not a full board meeting but simply the county administrator “just opening bids.” While his remarks appeared aimed at clarifying the purpose of the gathering reported by the Lanier County News, the explanation raised new concerns about whether the county is following Georgia’s Open Meetings Act in its handling of the bidding process.
Locked Doors and Public Access Concerns
In August, the commissioners’ office was closed to the public during the unannounced emergency meeting. The office door was locked without prior notification, and a notice posted outside read: “Closed for emergency county board of commissioners meeting.” Residents who may have sought to conduct county business during that time were turned away with no further information provided. 
Most notably, no details were offered regarding which bids were being opened, who was present, or why the process required closing the office to the public.
Legal and Transparency Questions
Under Georgia law, meetings of county commissions must be publicly noticed, with limited exceptions for sensitive matters such as personnel or legal negotiations. Routine actions like the opening of bids are typically conducted openly to ensure transparency and public trust.
The locked-door session has therefore prompted questions about whether the commission is fully complying with open meetings requirements, particularly when taxpayer dollars are involved in competitive bidding.
Next Steps
Neither the commissioners nor county staff provided additional explanation Monday night about why the August meeting was labeled “emergency” or why the doors were closed and locked. Chairman Lee’s comment seemed intended to downplay the issue, but it may intensify scrutiny of the board’s practices.
For now, citizens remain in the dark about the specifics of the bids opened last month, and whether the county’s procedures are aligned with both the letter and spirit of Georgia’s open government laws.
