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Planning commission adopts new rules requiring sign‑in, sets speaker time limits and limits yielded time
Summary
Upson County Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend its rules of procedure to require sign‑in for public hearing speakers, set 5‑ and 10‑minute time limits, and limit the ability to yield time to others to prevent abuse.
The Upson County Planning Commission on April 14 amended its rules of procedure to require public‑hearing speakers to sign in, to maintain 5‑ and 10‑minute time limits for testimony, and to limit yielding of time to other speakers.
Commission members reviewed the proposed changes and discussed prior practice. Mr. Chen, speaking for staff, said the sign‑in requirement reflects what the commission has been doing ‘‘for years’’ but makes it explicit that ‘‘if you didn't sign up, then you're not gonna speak.’’ The commission also adopted limits on yielding time after debating potential abuses if multiple speakers donated time to a single person.
Under the newly adopted language, a speaker who wishes to yield must speak for a portion of their allotted time before transferring remaining minutes, and the chair may declare a donated block of time out of order if it violates the rules. The commission also confirmed that the order of the agenda will include an opening prayer and the pledge of allegiance, followed by chair directions for public‑hearing procedure.
A motion to adopt the amended rules was made, seconded and approved unanimously.
The commission chair said members will see a different agenda format at the next meeting reflecting the adopted changes.
