PUD attorney to decide violation

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District board of commissioners requested an opinion from their legal counsel concerning the state's open public meetings law Monday.

Three commissioners were accused last month by fellow PUD Commissioner Tom Flint of violating the Open Public Meetings Act.

Flint said the three commissioners violated the act when they submitted a letter to the Columbia Basin Herald for publication, supporting their policy positions.

PUD Commission President Randy Allred directed their attorney, Ray Foianini, to provide the opinion by next week.

Pete Horn, a ratepayer from Stratford, requested the action during Monday's weekly commission meeting.

"If everything has been done in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act then there is nothing to be concerned about for anyone involved," Horn said. "Such a legal examination will finally let the ratepayer know what has taken place and if it was done inside the law or not."

The state Attorney General's Office declined to provide a legal opinion last month, leaving it to Foianini.

The attorney was not at Monday's meeting.