BELLE — Belle officials have been asked to respond to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office by July 6 regarding allegations that they have violated Sunshine Law.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office on June 15 reached out to the Belle custodian of records regarding a Sunshine Law complaint submitted by the Maries County Sheriff that named Mayor Daryl White, Jr. and the city. According to the email, Jay Turner, Director of Sunshine Law Compliance, notified City Clerk Frankie Horstman, custodian of the record, of the complaint made against the city and requested a response.

“The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has received a complaint contending that the city of Belle has violated the sunshine Law, codified in 610.010-610.225, RSMo,” Turner wrote. “The purpose of this correspondence is to inform you that the Attorney General’s Office is reviewing this matter to ensure compliance with the Sunshine Law.”

Turner requested that the city respond to Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman’s allegations within three weeks, but added that they are required to confirm receipt of his request within three days of receiving it.

“We ask that you provide a written response to the allegations in this complaint in order to assist our office’s review of this matter,” Turner wrote. “Please do so as soon as possible, but no later than three weeks from the date of this letter, July 6, 2023.”

However, Turner added his own list of due diligence requests for information from the city.

“In addition to responding to the allegations in Mr. Heitman’s complaint, we ask that you also separately consider this letter to be a request for public records under Section 610.023 of the Sunshine Law,” Turner requested. “All meeting notices, agendas, and minutes from August 2022 through the date of this letter, June 15, 2023.” 

After requesting that the city provide its documents electronically, Turner shared information about what happens next.

“After receiving your response, we may contact you if we have additional questions,” Turner said. “Our office’s review of this matter may take up to a few months.”

After the review, there are a few different outcomes, including:

• Seeking an informal resolution between you and the complaining party

• Working with the governmental body on a compliance plan

• Pursuing an enforcement action under 610.027, RSMo: Or

• Concluding that enforcement action is not appropriate.

The city’s response to allegations and to the Attorney General’s Office will be an open record and may be provided to the public for review.

White said on Tuesday that the city is working on a response.

“We are preparing the letter now,” White said. “Having our attorney help us with it. We will have it done by deadline.”

Heitman made several allegations against the city and the mayor himself. When asked if White wanted to respond, he said, “Some of the allegations are unfounded. Chris Heitman’s word is not law by no means.”

Heitman said he is happy the Attorney General’s Office has followed through with the complaint.

“I realize it has taken the Attorney General’s Office a while to investigate all of these complaints against Mayor Daryl White, Jr.,” he began. “I am glad they found it was substantiated enough to proceed forward with the process.”

Heitman alleges he warned the city about their actions.

“Even after the warnings given to the mayor and this complaint being filed, he still continued to knowingly violate the Sunshine Law, barring any effort to correct his wrong-doings,” Heitman said. “The violations the mayor committed against the city are blatantly obvious and I am confident the Attorney General will rule against the mayor and hopefully educate the city on the process. Mayor White needs to be personally held accountable for his actions, but as a citizen and complaintiff, I don’t want to see the city fined any money.”

City officials will be working to meet the Attorney General’s July 6 deadline to respond to allegations and submit all meeting notices, agendas, and minutes from meetings held between August 2022 and June 15, 2023.

A copy of Heitman’s complaint that was submitted to the Attorney General’s Office on Dec. 9, 2022, was also included in the letter to the city.