May the commissioners court meet by phone if members of the court are unable to attend a commissioners court meeting due to an emergency?
The commissioners court may hold an open or closed meeting by telephone if an emergency or public necessity exists and the convening of a quorum of the court at one location is difficult or impossible. Under Government Code §551.125, the emergency telephone meeting is subject to the meeting notice requirements applicable to all open meetings held pursuant to the Open Meetings Act. For more information, see our updated publication Short Answers to Common Questions – Weathering the Storm: Disaster Preparedness and Response.