LA PLATA, Md., June 5, 2025 — The Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board found that the La Plata Town Council violated the Open Meetings Act by failing to provide adequate public disclosures before and after a closed session on September 3, 2024. The board’s opinion, issued as Official Opinions of the Compliance Board 143 (2025), determined that the council’s written statements and meeting minutes lacked required details about the session’s purpose and actions taken.
The violation stemmed from a complaint filed by Tyjon C. Johnson, then a candidate for council, who alleged insufficient transparency in the council’s reporting of the closed session. The session, held under the Act’s personnel matters exception, involved a vote to approve a stipend for the mayor, who assumed duties of the town manager after the position became vacant in June 2024. The board concluded that the council’s disclosures did not meet legal standards for transparency, though the violation concerned reporting procedures, not the stipend decision itself.
Before the closed session, the council’s written closing statement cited the personnel matters exception but described the discussion topic only as “(1)(i) Personnel,” which the board deemed insufficient. The Act requires a detailed statement of the topic and reason for closure to inform the public and justify excluding them from the meeting. The board noted that the council could have specified the category of personnel matter, such as compensation, without compromising confidentiality. Additionally, the council failed to explain why the discussion required a closed session, violating section 3-305(d)(2)(ii) of the Act.
After the session, the council’s minutes and closing statement did not fully comply with section 3-306(c)(2), which mandates a summary of the time, place, purpose, attendees, votes, and actions taken. The minutes listed “personnel” as the topic and omitted the outcome of the stipend vote, while the closing statement noted the vote but not its result. The board found these disclosures inadequate, as they did not allow the public to ascertain whether the discussion aligned with the stated exception.
The Town of La Plata issued a statement on Facebook acknowledging the findings and committing to corrective actions. “We take this matter seriously and recognize the importance of maintaining the public’s trust through transparency and accountability,” the statement said. The town pledged to include detailed closing statements, improve minute-taking, provide council and staff training on the Act, and review internal procedures to ensure compliance. Per section 3-211, the council will publicly disclose the board’s opinion at its next open meeting.
Johnson, now a councilman, emphasized the importance of transparent governance in a Facebook post. “The way in which we operate is far more important than the actions taken — as I continue my term in Office, I can assure you good governance through strong collaboration and transparency,” he wrote. He directed inquiries to the town manager’s office at mminer@townoflaplata.org.
The issue arose after the town manager resigned in June 2024, leaving the mayor to assume those duties under the town charter. The charter prohibits council members, including the mayor, from being appointed town manager during or within one year of their term. The closed session focused on compensating the mayor for these additional responsibilities, but the board did not address whether this action violated the charter, as its authority is limited to interpreting the Open Meetings Act.
The board’s opinion underscores the Act’s role in ensuring public access to government proceedings. By requiring detailed disclosures, the Act enables residents to understand the rationale for closed sessions and verify that discussions remain within permitted exceptions. The council’s failure to meet these standards prompted the board’s ruling, which serves as a reminder of the legal obligations public bodies face in maintaining transparency.
La Plata, a town in Charles County, operates under a charter that vests legislative powers in a council comprising the mayor and four members. The mayor oversees administrative functions unless a town manager is appointed. The Open Meetings Compliance Board, part of the Office of the Attorney General, reviews complaints about public bodies’ adherence to the Act. This case highlights ongoing efforts to balance confidentiality in personnel matters with the public’s right to transparent governance.