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Council adopts updated rules of order after months-long review; critics warn of reduced opportunity for public comment

2269558 · February 12, 2025
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Summary

The council adopted resolution 3377 updating its rules of order; the change was presented by city attorney and approved by council vote, but public commenters and at least one speaker warned that removal of a provision allowing public comment during consideration of agenda items may reduce citizen input.

The Salisbury City Council adopted resolution 3377 on Feb. 10 to update its regulations and rules of order after staff presented a consolidated, revised version of standing rules.

City Attorney Ashley Plache said the update consolidated previous resolutions and incorporated changes the council discussed at recent meetings. The resolution replaces earlier rules adopted by a series of prior council resolutions and will be published in a clean (non-redlined) form after vote.

During discussion, council members and members of the public raised concerns about the timing and layout of meetings. Several speakers urged the council to preserve or restore the ability for citizens to speak on an item at the time the council is considering it rather than only during a general public-comment period.

Public commenter Robert Taylor told the council he believed the rules change "has been deliberately designed to spite stifle public comment," specifically noting that an earlier 2014 provision that allowed the council president to accept public comments during consideration of a specific item was removed in the draft rules presented to council. Several members of the public and council asked staff to clarify whether work sessions will remain before or after legislative sessions; others suggested the county’s meeting schedule as a possible model.

After discussion the council voted to adopt the resolution; staff said a final clean copy would be produced for the record.

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