Board shifts 2025 meeting schedule to third and fourth Thursdays to comply with new Open Meetings posting rule

Summary

Staff recommended and the board approved moving board meetings to the third and fourth Thursdays of each month for meetings on or after Sept. 1 to comply with a new requirement to post meeting notices within three business days; the board also authorized amendments to the board operations policy and calendar.

The Woodlands Township board voted to change its 2025 meeting calendar for meetings on or after Sept. 1 to the third and fourth Thursdays of each month to comply with a change to public‑meeting posting requirements.

Todd Stevens explained that under a new law affecting the Open Meetings Act the timeline for public notice will shift from a 72‑hour rule to a requirement to post notices within three business days of the meeting date, effective Sept. 1. Stevens said that change makes it difficult for meetings held Monday–Wednesday, so staff recommended consolidating meetings to later in the week. The board was shown a redline calendar in the packet demonstrating how dates would align after Sept. 1.

A motion to adopt the revised 2025 meeting schedule and amend the board operations policy passed by voice vote. Stevens and staff said postings would continue to occur on Fridays as practicable prior to meeting weeks and that the change was intended to ensure compliance with the new posting timeline while preserving sufficient time to prepare agendas and materials.