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Vigo County commissioners adopt resolution limiting public comments to three minutes
Summary
On Sept. 12, 2025, the Vigo County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-7, a public-decorum policy that limits in-person public comments to three minutes and gives the presiding commissioner authority to warn and, if necessary, order removal of disruptive attendees.
Vigo County commissioners approved Resolution 2025-7 on Sept. 12, 2025, adopting formal rules for conduct at in-person county meetings that limit public comment to three minutes and authorize the presiding board member to warn and remove disruptive attendees.
Commissioner Schweitzer, who presented the resolution, said it consolidates practices the county has been following and is modeled on templates used by other Indiana counties. “We just want to make sure that we have an established document in place in the instance of needing a deputy or to have to remove somebody from a meeting if something goes bad,” Schweitzer said during the meeting.
The three-page resolution, reviewed by county counsel and discussed at the meeting, cites Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-3.3 and sets out examples of conduct that may be deemed disruptive, including “disorderly, contemptuous, slanderous, profane, abusive remarks” or any behavior that breaches the peace or obstructs ingress and egress. The document requires the presiding board member to first identify disruptive activity and issue a verbal warning; after a second warning the presiding member may order the attendee to leave. If an attendee refuses to leave, the presiding member—or, upon majority vote, the board—may direct the sheriff or a designated officer to remove the person for the duration of the meeting. The resolution also allows law enforcement to remove an attendee immediately when necessary to maintain safety or where a criminal offense occurs.
Section F of the resolution permits attendees to supplement oral comments with written materials submitted in advance to the commissioners’ office or, if allowed by the presiding member, during the public comment period. Schweitzer told commissioners he reviewed ordinances and resolutions from 11 counties and that much of the language was drawn from a Johnson County model.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote; commissioners responded "Aye" and the resolution passed. Commissioners said the measure is intended to give equal opportunity for public participation and to protect staff and officials while preserving public access.
There were no public comments on the item during the meeting. The board indicated the document may be posted publicly to inform attendees of meeting rules going forward.
