Roane County Commission adopts public-comment rules, sets three-minute limit after extended debate over livestreaming and scope

The Roane County Commission adopted a formal public-comment policy that limits speakers to three minutes, requires respectful behavior, and clarifies that comments must be germane to the commission’s jurisdiction. The action followed extended debate over whether the commission should livestream public-comment periods and whether comments must be limited to agenda items.

The commission first considered an amendment by Commissioner Brackett that would have limited public comment to three minutes and stopped livestreaming during the public-comment portion. That amendment failed on a roll call, 6 yes to 8 no. Commissioners debated livestreaming logistics, whether state law requires livestreaming, and how to handle speakers who raise matters outside the commission’s jurisdiction. The county attorney advised that the commission is not required to livestream unless commissioners participate electronically; he also explained that state statute allows local governments to adopt reasonable rules for public comment and that some versions of statute permit limiting comment to agenda items.

Following that debate, Commissioner Burrows (also referred to in debate as Commissioner Burry) proposed an alternative amendment defining conduct rules and clarifying the scope of comments. The text the commission adopted states, in summary, that the public-comment period is intended to allow members of the public to share input, ideas and concerns germane to the jurisdiction of the Roane County Commission; that speakers must be respectful and must not make personal attacks or threats; that disruptive behavior such as shouting or interrupting is not allowed; and that violations can result in forfeiture of remaining time. The adopted language also limits each speaker to three minutes unless a commissioner grants additional time, and requires the chairman to give a 15-second warning before time expires. A motion to adopt the Burrows amendment passed on roll call, 14 yes, 0 no, and the final resolution (6 25 0 1 as amended) then passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the adopted policy standardizes public participation procedures, clarifies the scope of acceptable public comment to matters within the commission’s jurisdiction, and sets enforcement mechanics (time limits, warnings, and forfeiture for disruptive conduct). Commissioners discussed practical measures to notify attendees of the rules, such as posting a flyer at the courthouse entrance and publishing rules on the county website.

Key details and limits: commissioners preserved the ability to grant additional time by vote or at the chairman’s discretion and discussed the authority to let a speaker address a matter outside the commission’s jurisdiction only if the body votes to permit it. The county attorney said that if commissioners permit electronic participation by members of the commission, additional notice and livestreaming rules apply; currently, the county is not required to livestream.

Ending: The commission adopted the revised public-comment rules and directed clerk/staff to make the rules available to the public; commissioners also suggested posting notice at courthouse entry points and on the county website.