LEBANON — The Indiana Public Access Counselor has issued a formal advisory opinion finding no violation of Indiana’s Open Door Law by the Boone County Commissioners in response to complaints filed earlier in 2025 by a local reporter, the county announced December 30.
The opinion, dated December 29, 2025, concluded that the Commissioners acted within state law on every allegation reviewed — including matters tied to executive sessions, administrative meetings, and contract discussions.
What the opinion found
After reviewing meeting notices, minutes, and supporting records, the Public Access Counselor determined that:
- Actions taken by officials outside of a public meeting did not constitute violations because they were not official actions of the governing body.
- Executive session discussions about personnel matters were permitted under Indiana Code and limited to allowable subjects.
- Administrative discussions outside meetings were lawful so long as no final action was taken there.
- Final actions occurred during properly noticed public meetings.
“This opinion confirms what we have maintained from the beginning — the County Commissioners acted lawfully, transparently and in good faith,” Commission President Scott Pell said in the county’s announcement. “We appreciate the Public Access Counselor’s review and are happy to put these claims to rest.”
Source: Boone County, December 30, 2025.