County amends MOU language to allow limited representative testimony in administrative hearings

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners approved a change to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Administration (DOA) and the county to clarify public-comment procedures at administrative law hearings. The amended language allows a representative of a group of non-party affected persons to have up to 10 minutes to present testimony at an ALJ hearing, consistent with the county’s board meeting rules.

Planning staff explained the need: at the first hearing under the agreed process, the ALJ permitted public speakers and allowed party status holders wide latitude for cross-examination and presentation. That raised a question about how to reasonably accommodate representatives of organized groups that are not formal parties to a case. The MOU language originally read that the ALJ "shall also conduct a public hearing on each docketed case and may limit public speakers no more than 3 minutes"; staff recommended amending the MOU to add a ten-minute allowance for a representative of a group of persons who are not parties.

After a motion and second, commissioners unanimously approved the MOU amendment. Planning and legal staff said the change is intended to streamline hearings while respecting the county’s meeting rules and ensuring affected groups have the opportunity to speak through a designated representative.

The board’s action was recorded as unanimous approval, and staff will provide the revised MOU text to DOA for execution and implementation in future docket hearings.