In August 2011, the City of HighTech contracted with an external SaaS (software as a service) provider to host its e-mail system. The basic parameters of the contract require the SaaS provider to furnish e-mail service to all city employees and officials. City employees and officials access the e-mail system through a web-based portal from any computer or device with an internet connection. Each user may manage her e-mails by keeping them in her inbox or moving them to one or more file folders set up in the e-mail system.

In August 2011, the City of HighTech contracted with an external SaaS (software as a service) provider to host its e-mail system. The basic parameters of the contract require the SaaS provider to furnish e-mail service to all city employees and officials. City employees and officials access the e-mail system through a web-based portal from any computer or device with an internet connection. Each user may manage her e-mails by keeping them in her inbox or moving them to one or more file folders set up in the e-mail system.

County Departments of Social Services are responsible for administering public assistance programs, such as Medicaid, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or the “Program-Formerly-Known-As-Food-Stamps”). Department directors and staff members play an active role … Read more

It’s pop quiz time!  Is the following statement true or false? No one can buy real property in North Carolina without first paying all of the property taxes owed on the property. Answer: False. Well, not entirely false.  But not … Read more

It’s pop quiz time!  Is the following statement true or false? No one can buy real property in North Carolina without first paying all of the property taxes owed on the property. Answer: False. Well, not entirely false.  But not entirely true, either. Here’s why: G.S.

It’s pop quiz time!  Is the following statement true or false? No one can buy real property in North Carolina without first paying all of the property taxes owed on the property. Answer: False. Well, not entirely false.  But not entirely true, either. Here’s why: G.S.

Here is a question that came to me from a North Carolina public employer not too long ago.  An employee regularly includes “Put Your Faith in the Lord” as part of his closing on emails, whether the emails are to … Read more

Here is a question that came to me from a North Carolina public employer not too long ago.  An employee regularly includes “Put Your Faith in the Lord” as part of his closing on emails, whether the emails are to fellow employees, friends, or citizens.  Should the unit of government direct the employee to stop the practice?  May it direct the employee to stop? When a public employer restricts an employee’s expression of religious sentiments, there are many legal considerations at play.  The complexity of the analysis stumps the courts.

Here is a question that came to me from a North Carolina public employer not too long ago.  An employee regularly includes “Put Your Faith in the Lord” as part of his closing on emails, whether the emails are to fellow employees, friends, or citizens.  Should the unit of government direct the employee to stop the practice?  May it direct the employee to stop? When a public employer restricts an employee’s expression of religious sentiments, there are many legal considerations at play.  The complexity of the analysis stumps the courts.

It’s happening more and more frequently, in large and small jurisdictions across North Carolina. It may come by email, personal delivery, or even in a good old -fashioned letter, signed, sealed and delivered by snail mail. It’s the massive public records request. You know the ones: “copies of all emails send to or received by the manager and each member of the board on XYZ issue,” or “every email that mentions the name Jane M.