The Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling regarding the application of the Open Public Meetings Act to meetings of subcommittees in San Juan County.

In a 6-3 ruling, written by Justice Charles Wiggins for the majority, the court said that meetings of the Critical Areas Ordinance Team did not violate the Open Public Meetings Act.

Prosecuting Attorney Randall Gaylord was pleased with the decision and said that this was a hard-fought case and that briefs were offered to the court from media groups and other municipalities.

Gaylord said the ruling was the first from the Supreme Court on the subject of subcommittees and the ruling provides guidance for the future for cities and counties.  But best of all, said Gaylord, the ruling confirms that the procedure used to update the San Juan County critical areas ordinances complied with the law.

Gaylord added that the ruling will be less important in San Juan County because under the Charter Amendments made in 2012, all meetings of subcommittees of the Council will be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.

“Given the Charter Amendments, this lawsuit was continued in an effort to overturn the CAO Ordinances, which did not happen,” said Gaylord.