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Richland County rejects change to allow repeated public-comment turns but relaxes agenda restriction
Summary
The county board defeated a motion to let speakers take two nonconsecutive three-minute public-comment turns, but approved an amendment removing the strict requirement that comments be tied to a specific agenda item while retaining guardrails that comments be "reasonably related to the business of Richland County."
The Richland County Board debated and voted on changes to its public-comment rules on July 15, defeating a proposal to allow individuals two nonconsecutive three-minute speaking opportunities but approving language to remove the requirement that comments be strictly tied to an agenda item.
Supervisor Carroll moved to add a second three-minute opportunity for individuals; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Cooley. A roll-call vote was requested. The motion to allow a second three-minute opportunity failed after the roll call returned more votes against the amendment than in favor. The transcript records the result as defeated.
Separately, the board adopted an amendment to the board rules so that public comments need not be limited to a specific agenda item but must be "germane to an item on the meeting agenda or reasonably related to the business of Richland County." Proponents said the change would allow people to speak about issues that arise during the meeting or are related to county business; opponents raised concerns about limiting the scope to matters the board can act on and potential enforcement burdens.
During the discussion, supervisors and staff raised accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns. Several speakers noted that three minutes can be challenging for people with anxiety, cognitive differences or other disabilities; board counsel and administrators said accommodations can be granted if requested in advance and suggested adding ADA notice language to the public-comment form and agendas.
Board members also said chairs have discretion to extend time for speakers who struggle, and several supervisors urged chairs to use that discretion. The amendment to remove the strict agenda-only requirement passed; the separate motion to allow two separate three-minute turns did not.
The board directed staff to add ADA information to the public-comment form and agendas and to continue evaluating how to balance accessibility with orderly meeting procedure.
