What key elements are required under the Open Public Meetings Act?

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) emphasizes transparency and accountability in government by establishing specific requirements for how public meetings should be conducted. One crucial element of the OPMA is the need for an introductory statement and advance notice of meetings. This ensures that members of the public are aware of the meetings and what will be discussed, providing them the opportunity to participate or attend. The introductory statement helps outline the purpose of the meeting and the agenda, while advance notice is designed to inform the community ahead of time, typically through posting agendas, sending out notifications, or other means that make the information readily accessible.

This requirement aligns with the fundamental goals of the OPMA, which strive to promote openness and public involvement in government processes. While public access to meetings is also an important aspect of the act, without advance notice, the public might not be able to plan to attend. Therefore, having both an introductory statement and advance notice is essential for fulfilling the requirements of the OPMA effectively.