The Kansas board that regulates utilities has approved operational changes after replacing its top staff member and facing allegations that it violated the state's Open Meetings Act.
The Kansas Corporation Commission decided Tuesday to schedule two public meetings a week to handle routine business, rather than just one. Also, the KCC will require that major staff changes be reviewed by all three commission members.
Chairman Mark Sievers confirmed Tuesday that he removed Patti Petersen-Klein as KCC executive director in June. The move came after a consultant's report said there was a rift between her and KCC employees.
Also in June, the Shawnee County prosecutor filed an open meetings lawsuit against the commission following a water rate increase for a Salina housing development.
