The update to the open-meetings law requiring municipalities and school boards to post their agendas at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting is important step to better government and more community input.

Senate Bill 554 was signed into law June 30 by Gov. Tom Wolf and goes into effect Aug. 29.

It is an amendment to the Sunshine Act and is intended to shine light on what public entities are doing and planning to do.

We feel it is a win for Butler County citizens.

Most residents can’t attend the meeting of every group that affects their lives, such as their local municipality, planning commission, parks and recreation departments, zoning boards, water or sewer authorities and school boards. There are also meetings at the county level, such as commissioners and many county boards, including the Area Agency on Aging, Butler County Prison, Council on Drugs and Alcohol or Children and Youth Advisory Board.

Issues that hit the consumer pocket book are discussed there.

Will taxes be hiked? Services expanded or reduced? Housing developments approved or amended? Will school classes be held in person or remotley? Will a noise or burning ordinance be enacted?

It is reasonable to expect officials to know what they need to discuss at a public meeting 24 hours before it happens. Posting those agendas on websites lets residents determine if it’s an issue that affects them, giving them the opportunity to attend.

Residents also will be able to check in on their neighboring municipalities. In the southwest corner of the county, four municipalities are attempting to work out sewage plant improvements that impact all its residents. A new waterline along Route 8 from Overbrook Road in Middlesex Township to Larchwood Drive in Penn Township, that will also serve the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, is drawing questions from residents who see the pipes stacked along the road and wonder how it affects them.

The new law also limits such agencies to take action only on agenda items with four exceptions: emergency business, business arising within 24 hours before the meeting, business arising during the meeting or when the board announces the reason for changing the agenda and adds an item by majority vote.

These exceptions gives officials the flexibility to respond to emergencies or concerns raised at the time of the meeting.

However, if money must be spent or a contract made, the issue must be brought before a public that has been alerted to its pending discussion. Residents can come and take a front-row seat to watch their elected officials or public employees in action.

Transparency in government makes accountability clear.

Many municipalities already post their agenda a day in advance and make it available. We applaud them.

We encourage those who do not to immediately adopt the practice. It is an easy step toward better government and community relations.

— DJS