State Auditor's Office issues ruling in Winneshiek Medical Center open meetings law case

The Iowa Auditor's Office has completed its investigation into decorahnews.com's complaint that the Winneshiek Medical Center Board of Trustees had violated the state's Open Meetings Law.

A letter from Auditor Office Director Susan Battani issued Friday says the agency will accept the response made by the hospital board's attorney, Diane Kutzko.  That letter defended the hospital board's practices, but also said hospital board members will attend seminars about the Open Meetings Law in the future.  It also said the hospital board has stopped scheduling closed sessions on tentative agendas if there is no specific reason for one.

Battani's follow-up letter said it had no additional recommendations--except in regard to meetings held outside Decorah.  The WMC Board met in Rochester on November 30, 2010.  Battani cautioned the board to make sure it could demonstrate the board was complying with the Open Meeting Law's requirements by documenting why such a meeting could not be held in a more convenient location.  Kutzko's letter promised the hospital board will give specific reasons for meeting away from the hospital if it wants to schedule such a meeting.

Battani's letter concluded, "We commend the Board for its efforts to seek legal counsel, attend training sessions and (make) changes to your practices and procedures to address compliance."

The letter included three bulletins about the Iowa Open Meetings Laws.  A copy of the letter and the bulletins is posted below.