[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6512506,"mediaKeyId","5108133-37aee1e3bcbf1578a7a23c748264cb72","parentId",5108133,"title","Roane County Commission adopts public-comment rules, sets three-minute limit after extended debate over livestreaming and scope","audioSeconds",1695,"startMs",874000,"endMs",2569000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108133-37aee1e3bcbf1578a7a23c748264cb72&start=874&end=2569","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108133-37aee1e3bcbf1578a7a23c748264cb72/thumbnail_874000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512506/Roane-County/Tennessee/Roane-County-Commission-adopts-public-comment-rules-sets-three-minute-limit-after-extended-debate-over-livestreaming-and-scope","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512506-17a9e0246018b07d5e2c1e80faacb07b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775233681&Signature=XU8zywVjAO1Os58XDkgAwYGDByZULWCwZwilu5tJ4cHWOLkCXR1MteRisGP5qHPxN4UKZwyejpLYqp3LX6Uv4sxPr2IbVDFQRF~TmEaYRu9X0ZJfECup1JuduVpjrUGEzsJdhz-vplwjtMjZi3tJqLL0iEHuDgJI0XAPRRSixNsUzA5Z4~x9Kb-BVmihj~F69GFB60LM9ImVqkjg77TcyrSe0VNMrqqYt2luR2C9iO~Y~ih60eemsfX2qCEqXDYAGX6wgrybOkzcor-VeAjvteqDhknrrTSrmDqDX-yljki05-CxEcJfzvmllMnZF0-7hvT2m3-lFM6jBFjLbwC-aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Roane County, TN","date","2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Roane County Commission adopted a formal public-comment policy that limits speakers to three minutes, requires respectful behavior, and clarifies that comments must be germane to the commission’s jurisdiction. The action followed extended debate over whether the commission should livestream public-comment periods and whether comments must be limited to agenda items.

The commission first considered an amendment by Commissioner Brackett that would have limited public comment to three minutes and stopped livestreaming during the public-comment portion. That amendment failed on a roll call, 6 yes to 8 no. Commissioners debated livestreaming logistics, whether state law requires livestreaming, and how to handle speakers who raise matters outside the commission’s jurisdiction. The county attorney advised that the commission is not required to livestream unless commissioners participate electronically; he also explained that state statute allows local governments to adopt reasonable rules for public comment and that some versions of statute permit limiting comment to agenda items.

Following that debate, Commissioner Burrows (also referred to in debate as Commissioner Burry) proposed an alternative amendment defining conduct rules and clarifying the scope of comments. The text the commission adopted states, in summary, that the public-comment period is intended to allow members of the public to share input, ideas and concerns germane to the jurisdiction of the Roane County Commission; that speakers must be respectful and must not make personal attacks or threats; that disruptive behavior such as shouting or interrupting is not allowed; and that violations can result in forfeiture of remaining time. The adopted language also limits each speaker to three minutes unless a commissioner grants additional time, and requires the chairman to give a 15-second warning before time expires. A motion to adopt the Burrows amendment passed on roll call, 14 yes, 0 no, and the final resolution (6 25 0 1 as amended) then passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the adopted policy standardizes public participation procedures, clarifies the scope of acceptable public comment to matters within the commission’s jurisdiction, and sets enforcement mechanics (time limits, warnings, and forfeiture for disruptive conduct). Commissioners discussed practical measures to notify attendees of the rules, such as posting a flyer at the courthouse entrance and publishing rules on the county website.

Key details and limits: commissioners preserved the ability to grant additional time by vote or at the chairman’s discretion and discussed the authority to let a speaker address a matter outside the commission’s jurisdiction only if the body votes to permit it. The county attorney said that if commissioners permit electronic participation by members of the commission, additional notice and livestreaming rules apply; currently, the county is not required to livestream.

Ending: The commission adopted the revised public-comment rules and directed clerk/staff to make the rules available to the public; commissioners also suggested posting notice at courthouse entry points and on the county website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Roane County Special Called Commission Meeting - June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended debate and a failed amendment, the Roane County Commission adopted a revised public-comment policy that allows three minutes per speaker, requires respectful conduct, and clarifies that comments must be germane to the commission’s jurisdiction.","taxTitle","Roane County, Tennessee","taxId",71285,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6512511,"Roane County Commission approves FY2026 budget recommendation, fixes tax levy after state certification",464,29000,493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108133-37aee1e3bcbf1578a7a23c748264cb72&start=29&end=493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108133-37aee1e3bcbf1578a7a23c748264cb72/thumbnail_29000.jpg","/articles/6512511/Roane-County/Tennessee/Roane-County-Commission-approves-FY2026-budget-recommendation-fixes-tax-levy-after-state-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512511-aea3b673dfcf33db0240344c6d89ef75/orig.mp4?Expires=1775233681&Signature=G5GkIS2m3Aip12jyVk63JAXUQ9etN4SLRHcAmlH5E8lSBGFmcraozBK6zWm6r227wvWw69yMKOlweDPM2CTTMXZ-YkUaJdyNhB4zRYc8nXV7u47yM3qxkdITafmEwAgigPnagWLCi-tMO30guYzxWMGy2-ia3mqO~bjQSI099pfwUKsAG24oLzQQ2MvIHlYO6AYHyWPA4hXNEdrRk52vBDBNQJlYhTMqUucYvPGCpb1IWoGldsLEbuvtsFAe2Sh5IUzXtgiDGGyRhm8mq0G-ZSsanf2LnAfHvcEUxBd0TyDt5WqJ4uSTE3PPWJrHOI2Ko~g8qW1N-ZrAF5xnE4Fmhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Roane County Commissioners on an evening meeting approved the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget recommendation and passed related appropriation resolutions after the state delivered a certified tax rate that matched the proposed budget.

The vote included adoption of budget-related resolutions and an appropriation resolution; commissioners also passed a resolution fixing the county tax levy for the coming fiscal year. A county staff member told the commission that the certified tax rate arrived about 35 minutes before the meeting and “it is exactly what is in our proposed budget.”

Why it matters: approving the county budget and fixing a tax levy are the formal steps needed to fund county departments and services for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Commissioners said the tax rates announced by staff will be used in the appropriation documents the county adopts.

Most important facts: the commission voted to approve the fiscal-year budget recommendation and related appropriation resolutions; it also adopted the tax levy resolution. During discussion commissioners confirmed the certified tax rates announced by staff: 1.4987 (outside city limits) and 1.4523 (inside city limits). Commissioners stated the levy figures reflect the certified numbers the state provided.

Several named resolutions were taken up in the session and carried by voice vote or roll call. Where the clerk recorded a roll call, the motions passed unanimously or by stated majorities; where the minutes say only “motion carries,” the commission did not provide an itemized roll-call tally in the transcript. County attorneys and staff clarified that the budget committee could vote on the FY2026 budget recommendation but that certain cleanup resolutions would need to be taken up by the full county commission under the meeting notice posted for the commission.

Background and process: commissioners debated whether the budget committee meeting was a special call with limited agenda items or a regular meeting with broader authority; county counsel advised that if it were a special meeting the committee would be limited to the items listed in its notice, but that the county commission itself could consider the cleanup resolutions under the county commission’s special call notice.

The commission also accepted a report from the Roane County Audit Committee and recorded that internal audit findings raised in the committee’s report had been remediated before the exit conference with state auditors.

Next steps: the commission’s appropriation and tax-levy documents will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Staff and the clerk will circulate the final appropriation resolution and related documents as required by county practice.

Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after completing budget business and other routine appropriation items.","The Roane County Commission approved the fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations and several appropriation resolutions and fixed the county tax levy after the state certified a tax rate that matched the county’s proposed budget.","actionData","errors"]

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Roane County Commission adopts public-comment rules, sets three-minute limit after extended debate over livestreaming and scope

Roane County Commission approves FY2026 budget recommendation, fixes tax levy after state certification