Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to change how callers register for and provide public comment during court meetings. Under the new procedure the county will shift caller sign-up to a registration model similar to the City of Austin’s: people who plan to call in must register ahead of time, and court staff will call registered participants when the relevant agenda item is reached.

Judge Andy Brown and court staff said the change is meant to reduce long phone hold times and make virtual public comment more reliable. The court clarified that in-person public comment remains unchanged — anyone present in the courtroom may speak without prior registration — and that staff expect to make some initial exceptions during the early implementation period.

Commissioners asked communications staff to publicize the new process widely. Hector, director of the Public Information Office, said the PIO will post instructions on the county website, add notice language to the face of future agendas and distribute guidance through social media and press releases. The court directed staff to include alternate ways to submit comment — for example, emailing commissionerscourt@traviscountytx.gov or sending written statements for the record — and to add procedural notice to agendas. The court took a recorded vote approving the change; the motion passed unanimously.