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Residents urge clearer budget notice and stronger public‑comment protections at Loudon County workshop
Summary
At the Feb. 18 Loudon County Commission workshop, public commenters and several commissioners pressed the county to change budget meeting scheduling that they said limits public notice and reiterated support for broad public‑comment rights under pending state legislation.
At the Loudon County Commission workshop on Feb. 18, a resident urged commissioners to move monthly budget meetings to the week between a voting meeting and a workshop, saying the current schedule leaves taxpayers “in the dark” about budget decisions and limits chances to speak.
Chacey Hackman, a resident who addressed the commission during the general public‑comment period, said the timing of budget committee meetings — often held just hours before a workshop — denies the public legal notice of what will be discussed and prevents meaningful public input. “We have a right to speak even if it's criticizing you or your job performance,” Hackman said.
The comment came amid broader complaints about how the commission handles public comment and agenda items. Jim Stevenson, a commissioner who also spoke during public comment, said citizens used to be allowed to speak on any matter germane to the jurisdiction even if it was not listed on the meeting agenda and urged the commission to restore wider access. Stevenson referenced recent state legislation under consideration and two House bills discussed during the meeting that he said would codify broader comment periods.
The issue of how much latitude members of the public have to speak and when budget matters are discussed drew several mentions across the meeting. Commissioner Quillen and others said the topic came up at recent governmental affairs meetings, where members reviewed many state bills affecting local practice. Commissioners said some proposed legislation would require governing bodies subject to open‑meetings laws to reserve a period for public comment on any matter germane to the governing body’s jurisdiction, whether or not it appears on the agenda.
No formal action was taken at the workshop to change notice or meeting schedules. Multiple commissioners said they would follow up with staff and consider whether changes or formal agenda items should be brought to a future meeting.
The discussion flagged two state bill numbers discussed by participants during public comment: house bill 0448 and house bill 0022. Those bill numbers were referenced by speakers as part of a description of proposed changes to public‑comment rules; the commission did not take an official position at this workshop.
The workshop continued with agenda business after the public‑comment period, with commissioners saying they would follow up with staff to determine whether revisions to notice or scheduling were warranted.
