The Board of Directors is stating that they have adopted a open meetings act policy in the past. They now want to revise it. Rather than follow the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, they have created a hybrid open meetings act for Hot Springs Village that has more holes in it than a piece of swiss cheese. Since we are not a governmental body, they think they can do as they please. A section in the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act that may prove their downfall is a statement that the act must be followed by any board, or organization in the state of Arkansas supported wholly or in part by public funds or expending public funds. The question would become, is our POA dues considered public funds? Or are we just a private club that can do as we please?
If our POA dues are not considered public funds, we are driving ourselves toward becoming a municipality if we do not adopt the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. The statement of the purpose of the Open Meetings Act states: "It is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that the electors shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in making public policy. Toward this end, this chapter is adopted, making it possible for them or their representatives to learn and to report fully the activities of their public officials."
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