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Advisory board approves moving public comment later on agenda after contested roll-call votes
Summary
The advisory board approved a motion to move public comment later in the agenda for the Oct. 7 meeting after debate and roll-call votes on amendments; the procedural change prompted speakers and board members to express concerns about public access.
The St. Clair County Health Department Advisory Board voted Oct. 7 to move the meeting's public-comment period later in the agenda.
The procedural change began with a motion from an advisory-board member to amend the published agenda. The motion produced extended discussion about precedent, public access and whether moving public comment would discourage or "silence" residents. One board member sought to limit the change to "this meeting only," but an amendment to that effect failed on a roll-call vote. The original motion to reorder the agenda was then approved on a subsequent roll-call vote.
Why it matters: Several board members and public commenters said moving public comment later in the meeting could prevent members of the public from hearing the full discussion before casting their views and could reduce public participation, particularly for those who cannot attend long meetings. Supporters argued the change would help the board complete time-sensitive official business.
Votes and debate During debate, opponents repeatedly warned that moving public comment could discourage residents from attending and would allow some board members to leave before hearing public remarks. One board member called the effort "a slick way to silence the public." Supporters countered that other county meetings have used similar agenda orders and suggested the change could be tested and reversed if it did not work.
The board first rejected an amendment to make the change "only for this meeting" and then approved the main motion to reorder the agenda. Following that vote the meeting continued and public comment ultimately occurred later in the session.
Board members and staff said they would consider how to communicate future agenda-order changes to the public so residents know what to expect.
