The Union County Board of County Commissioners convened on September 24, 2025, to address several key issues, including public speaking regulations and the final reading of an important bond ordinance. The meeting began with a reminder for attendees to state their names and towns while adhering to a three-minute speaking limit, a change from the previous five-minute allowance that drew criticism from some members of the public.

Bruce Patterson, a resident of Garwood, expressed his discontent regarding the reduction in speaking time, labeling it as "arbitrary and capricious." He questioned the criteria used to determine the speaking time based on the number of attendees and called for clarity on the bylaws governing these limits. Patterson also raised concerns about the handling of 11 bond ordinances, specifically inquiring about the total amount of unspent funds and the implications of combining these bonds into a new ordinance.

County Manager Oatman responded to public comments by clarifying that the bond ordinance does not increase county debt but rather repurposes $14,116,985 from completed projects for new initiatives, including park improvements and technology upgrades. This repurposing involves funds from projects dating back to 2012.

Following the public comments, Commissioner Williams moved for the final reading of Ordinance 860-2025, which was seconded and subsequently approved with a unanimous vote from the commissioners present.

The meeting then opened for further public comments, where Patterson reiterated his concerns about county finances and transparency regarding past meetings. He criticized the county's legal expenses and questioned the accuracy of financial statements made by county officials. Patterson also highlighted a significant increase in a contract for engineering services and raised issues regarding accountability in light of recent allegations at the juvenile detention center.

The meeting concluded with additional public comments, including inquiries about dredging operations and community recreational facilities. The commissioners acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasized their commitment to addressing the issues brought forth by the public.