The following Kentucky Attorney General Opinions and Open Records/Open Meetings Decisions were issued last week. Go to the AG's website link to read opinions and decisions: https://ag.ky.gov/Priorities/Government-Transparency/Pages/default.aspx

1. 20-ORD-091 (Franklin County)

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet ("Cabinet") violated the Open Records Act ("Act") in withholding the names of private individuals who submitted complaints, either telephonically or electronically, to the KY-SAFER Hotline. However, the Cabinet did not violate the Act in withholding other personal information about the complainants, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses, under KRS 61.878(1)(a). The Cabinet properly relied upon the attorney-client privilege to deny access to confidential communications between attorneys charged with assessing the complaints and recommending the additional action.

2. 20-OMD-092 (Taylor County)

The Taylor County Fiscal Court ("County") violated the Open Meetings Act ("the Act") by excluding a member of the press from the meeting room when the meeting was not conducted under the provisions of Senate Bill 150.

3. OAG 20-11 (Fulton County)

Because the Consumer Price Index salary increase for elected county officials under KRS 64.5275 is mandatory, the Fiscal Court must pay it.

4. OAG 20-12 (Franklin County)

(1) Under KRS 247.130, the State Fair Board appoints its President and CEO and sets his or her compensation.

(2) Under KRS 150.061, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission appoints the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and sets his or her compensation.

(3) The Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary has no role in reviewing or approving a contract entered into with the President and CEO of the State Fair Board or the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources unless the contract is disapproved by the Government Contract Review Committee of the Legislative Research Commission.