Residents urge more transparency, town meetings and election‑security checks at Brazos County court

During the public comment period at the Dec. 31 Brazos County Commissioners Court meeting, three residents called on the court to increase transparency, hold more outreach meetings and consider election‑system safeguards.

Kathy, a resident who identified herself during the comment period, urged the court to consider stronger checks on the voter rolls and contrasted the county’s election procedures with routine identification requirements at her local library. “The library wants me to reaffirm my desire to use my library card in spite of the fact I continually use it and I need to provide a picture ID in person to do that, and yet our election system does not provide that same security,” she said. She added, “We have people on our voter rolls, which we have told you about, that haven't voted for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, and they're still on there.”

Cindy Bliley told the court, “There doesn't seem to be a lot of transparency on agenda items,” and asked the commissioners to provide short synopses for agenda items so the public can understand topics without having to ask during the meeting. Bliley also recommended precinct town meetings and occasional meetings outside normal business hours so working residents can attend.

John Boot echoed calls for clearer public communication and said he hoped the court would use its platform to address rumors and explain divisive issues to the community.

None of the public comments resulted in motions or formal directions recorded on the meeting minutes. The court did not announce any immediate policy changes in response to the remarks during the session.

Ending: The comments were part of the court's regular citizens-input section; commissioners acknowledged the remarks and later offered public thanks to outgoing commissioners during the interest items portion of the meeting.