Resident questions process at Rock County public hearing on nonmetallic mining reclamation amendment

Rock County held a public hearing March 13 on a proposed amendment to county code regarding nonmetallic mining reclamation. Sheila Williams of Janesville spoke and raised process concerns, asking the board to restart the ordinance review so supervisors and the public could examine the proposal in committee before final action.

Williams said she could not determine which county department or which supervisor initiated the ordinance changes and that she had been unable to trace the item through committee channels. “Normally with ordinance changes such as this, it does go to committee first and all of the supervisors and the public have a chance to kind of look it over, kick the tires with it, and ask any questions and ask for clarification,” Williams said. She asked chair staff to reopen the process and start review from the beginning.

The public hearing was opened and closed the same evening after Williams’ remarks; no committee report or supporting departmental presentation accompanied the public hearing at the meeting. The board moved on to other business after closing the public hearing.

No vote or formal action on the ordinance amendment is recorded in the meeting minutes provided; board members did not take further public comment on this item at the meeting.