Kalamazoo County Board Accused of Open Meetings Act Violation

County investigation underway after complaint about inaccessible board room

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:23am

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The Kalamazoo County board is facing accusations of violating the Open Meetings Act, as the elevators in the County Administration building have been out of service, making the second-floor board room less accessible to those with disabilities. A county investigation is now underway to determine if the board's actions, which include setting up a satellite observation room on the first floor, meet the legal requirements for public accessibility.

Why it matters

The Open Meetings Act is a critical law that ensures transparency and public access to government proceedings. Allegations of violations undermine public trust and raise concerns about equal participation, especially for marginalized groups.

The details

Resident Zach Lasiter filed a complaint alleging the inaccessible board room violates the Open Meetings Act. The county has set up a first-floor observation room where residents can watch the meetings on TV and provide call-in comments, but it's unclear if this fully meets the legal standards for accessibility.

  • The complaint was made this week, during 'Sunshine Week' in Michigan, which celebrates open government.
  • County commissioners approved a resolution in support of Sunshine Week during their evening meeting last night.

The players

Zach Lasiter

A county resident who filed the complaint about the board room's accessibility.

Lewis Smith

The Kalamazoo County Attorney, who provided legal advice to the commissioners.

Kalamazoo County Board

The governing body of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, accused of violating the Open Meetings Act.

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What they’re saying

“The Open Meetings Act requires that public bodies make their meetings accessible to all members of the public and provide special accommodation to make that happen.”

— Zach Lasiter, Kalamazoo County Resident

“Whether the county's satellite observation room meets that standard could be for a judge to decide, if the matter gets that far.”

— Lewis Smith, Kalamazoo County Attorney

What’s next

The county investigation will determine if the board's actions comply with the Open Meetings Act. If not, the matter could proceed to a judge's ruling.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of upholding public access laws, even during logistical challenges. The county's response will be closely watched to ensure transparency and equal participation in local government.