Lake County State’s Attorney appointed to Open Meeting Commission

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has appointed five state’s attorneys to the Open Meeting Commission effective immediately including Lake County State’s Attorney Wendy Kloeppner (KLEP-ner).  Also appointed were  Emily Sovell, Sully County, Katelynn Hoffman, Turner County.  Lance Russell, Fall River/Oglala Lakota County.  Michael Smith, Clay County.

Jackley says this commission is about transparency in government and dealing with complaints on governmental agencies not following the state’s open meeting law.

The Open Meeting Commission was established in 2004. By state statute, the members are required to be state’s attorneys who are appointed by the Attorney General.

Attorney General Jackley has introduced Senate Bill 26 in this year’s legislative session, which would allow Deputy State’s Attorneys, who are equally qualified, to serve on the commission if needed. That bill has not yet been heard in committee.