Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced a settlement with a Central Missouri city over multiple violations of the state’s Sunshine Law.

In his statement Saturday, Bailey said the City of Belle has admitted that they failed to abide by the state’s open records law on five occasions, including failure to provide adequate notices and tentative agendas, discussing items of public business not on the agenda, inadequately keeping meeting minutes, and improperly discussing business in at least one closed session that should have been open to the public. As part of the agreement, city officials will abide by a compliance plan, which will include attending a Sunshine Law training class within 90 days, and agree to send to the attorney general’s office any public meeting notice issued in the next 180 days. Belle will also pay a $500 fine, which will go toward an area school district.

Bailey added that his office takes seriously their obligations to enforce state laws including the Sunshine Law as written, noting that his office set a record in 2023 for Sunshine Law trainings and resolved complaints.