This was a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) workshop held by the city of Eureka Springs on September 25, 2025. The session, led by Bill Mann from the Arkansas Municipal League, focused on educating city officials and commission members about the FOIA requirements related to public meetings, including recent legislative amendments. Key topics included definitions of public meetings, deliberations, and polls; requirements for meeting notices and agendas; rules for remote attendance and voting; executive session protocols; and consequences for FOIA violations, including civil and criminal penalties. The workshop emphasized transparency, proper procedures for adding agenda items, recording meetings, and the prohibition of private deliberations or polling among governing body members. Specific attention was given to recent amendments limiting remote meetings except under emergency declarations and clarifying penalties related to bond issuance violations. The session concluded with a Q&A addressing email communications among commission members and the distinction between informational exchanges and impermissible deliberations.

FOIA Workshop 9/25/2025