Nixon v. Madison County Agricultural Society
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Nixon v. Madison County Agricultural Society was a case before the Nebraska Supreme Court in 1984 concerning the application of transparency laws to nonprofit corporations.
Important precedents
This case established that private entities which receive public funds through levying taxes are considered public bodies under the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.[2]
Background
- The Madison County Agricultural Society, a private nonprofit, voted to enact a contract for the construction of live-stock expedition building for $140,000.
- Burton Nixon filed a suit seeking to void the action, arguing that the directors of the society made the decision in a closed meeting, in violation of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act
- The trial court ruled in favor of Nixon and ordered the contract void. The decision was appealed.[2]
Ruling of the court
The trial court ruled in favor of Nixon, determining that because the Society levies taxes and expends public moneys.
The Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the trial court and determined that because the Society reserves the right to receive public funding through taxation, it is considered a public body subject to the open meetings law.[2]
Associated cases
See also
- Nebraska Open Meetings Act
External links
Footnotes
