By Megan Boatwright, Local News 8 Reporter
The debate over whether city council members in Rexburg violated open meeting laws to hire a new mayor is heating up once again.
This week the Madison County Prosecutor's Office is looking into claims filed by a woman who says the council illegally discussed their decision early.
The storm that began during the November 4th city council meeting is still brewing. Now it's up to the county to decide whether Richard Woodland's appointment was legal.
“I want a full investigation to happen,” said Maria Nate. Whether that happens will be up to the county. For now they are interviewing her further. Nate will meet with a county prosecutor Tuesday.
“It's time to bring what happens in the back doors of City Hall to the front so people can see,” Nate said. “We need transparency and openness.”
Of course there are many in Rexburg who disagree, including City Councilman, Rex Erickson.
“There was never anything illegally done,” Erickson said Monday. “There was never a secret meeting.”
Erickson doesn't deny he did have individual conversations with other councilmen before the vote.
“I don't think there's anything wrong with a public official talking with other public officials about items,” Erickson said.
The councilman says the key is no decision was made, but that's where he and Nate differ.
“If you read the open meeting manual it states very clearly that you are not to discuss or deliberate anything that comes to a vote,” she said.
For now Nate is glad to see the county taking her allegations seriously. “I'm prepared to bring forward more information,” she said. “About conversations the city council had before the meeting.”
In a letter to Maria Nate, Deputy Prosecutor, Troy Evans, said: “We appreciate your letter and concern. Our office takes these matters seriously, and is always appreciative of the public's concern.”
