Commissioners discuss drafting public comment policy; staff to request examples from other counties

The Carter County Board of Commissioners discussed creating a written public-comment policy to clarify expectations for members of the public and county employees when addressing the board.

The board reviewed guidance from the county handbook and discussed two kinds of comment: non-agenda public comment (general input the public may provide) and comment on agenda items when the commission is about to take action. Commissioners emphasized that public comment periods are not the place to adjudicate interagency personnel matters or to conduct investigations; personnel issues should be handled through human resources or placed on a future agenda with appropriate notice.

Commissioners discussed practical measures to improve meeting clarity: requiring speakers to identify themselves when they begin, explicitly inviting public input before a formal vote, adding clearer packet distribution and agenda timing so commissioners and staff can prepare, and asking the county clerk to circulate sample policies from other counties and from Montana local government services.

The board directed staff to request public-comment policies and guidance from other counties and from the Montana local government services office and to prepare a draft for review. No policy was adopted at the meeting.