WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Advocates for government transparency are questioning whether Sedgwick County violated state law during the selection of a new county manager.

The Wichita Eagle reports Sedgwick County appointed Brig. Michael Scholes on Sept. 2, but actually green-lit the job offer two weeks earlier in a closed meeting.

County officials contend their choice of Scholes over three other finalists on Aug. 19 was non-binding and did not violate an open meetings law.

The newspaper says it has asked District Attorney Marc Bennett and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt to investigate whether commissioners violated the Kansas Open Records Act.

Acting county manager Ron Holt says that after winnowing the field from 85 applicants to four finalists, commissioners decided in an executive session to send Scholes a job offer.