WILLISTON – The Williston Parks & Recreation District Board violated North Dakota’s open meetings law by failing to provide public notice of an executive session, according to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

The board held a special meeting on April 27, 2021, issuing a notice with a single agenda item for “WPRD Long Term Funding.” During the special meeting, the board entered an executive session to discuss future funding for WPRD. After returning to the open portion of the meeting, a motion was approved to recommend a one-cent sales tax increase to the Williston City Commission.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley wrote that the board violated the law by not including the anticipation of a closed session when it released its agenda to the public. He did not find the board violated the law in failing to give specific notice to a media member who requested it because the board was unable to document that it received the request. He added that the board, however, should be mindful of its obligation to comply with such requests.

The board is to file a revised notice and provide meeting minutes, notes or recordings to anyone who requests them.