Stephensville council amends meeting rules to guarantee public comment before votes

The Town Council of Stevensville on Feb. 13 approved a revision to its council rules and added a specific provision ensuring the public an opportunity to speak before council votes.

The change, adopted as part of Resolution No. 38387F, inserts language requiring that “prior to any vote of the council, an opportunity for public comment shall be made.” The amendment was moved by Council member Parker and seconded by Council member Nelson; the council then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended rules.

The amendment grew out of public comment and a suggestion from resident Jim Cruz, who argued the rules did not explicitly preserve the chance for residents to speak before decisions are made. Mayor Michaelson and council members discussed whether referencing Robert's Rules of Order should be attached as an exhibit; legal staff indicated that if the council references Robert's Rules within the town rules, the rules should include it as an exhibit.

Council members requested final signed copies of the revised rules once language and exhibits are finalized. Council clerk Janelle will circulate the finalized version for signatures. The council recorded the final vote as Council member Nelson Aye, Council member Brown Aye, Council member Smith Aye and Council member Berg Aye; the motion passed 4-0.

Why it matters: The explicit insertion of a pre-vote public comment opportunity codifies a practice some council members had been using informally and reduces the chance of procedural challenge if a resident later objects that they were not heard before a decision.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote, and staff said finalized, signed copies of the rules would be distributed to council members.