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Fort Worth council rejects amendment to cut public-comment opportunities, approves 2026 meeting calendar
Summary
Council defeated an amendment that would have reduced public-comment sessions before approving a city calendar that schedules fewer standalone public-comment meetings than 2025; several council members and dozens of residents argued the change would limit civic access.
Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday defeated an amendment to reduce opportunities for public comment and then approved the proposed 2026 meeting calendar (Resolution 25-5420) as presented by staff.
Councilman Chris Nettles moved to keep the current twice-monthly public-comment slots and to add a public-comment period to each daytime meeting; Councilwoman Deborah Peoples seconded the amendment. After about 40 minutes of debate and public testimony, the amendment failed. The council then voted to approve the calendar recommended by staff.
Why this matters: The action narrows the number of standalone public-comment sessions compared with 2025 and changes when and how residents can address the full council. Dozens of residents urged the council to preserve or expand public-comment access, saying public forums are a primary means for ordinary Fort Worthians to register concerns directly with elected officials.
Public testimony and council debate: More than a dozen residents and regular public-comment speakers addressed the dais during the discussion on the calendar. Speakers argued both…
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