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Brooksville council adopts time limits for outside presenters, allows narrow extensions
Summary
After public comment and council discussion, the City of Brooksville approved a new policy limiting outside presenter time to 15 minutes with a 5‑minute rebuttal and a single discretionary 5‑minute extension; the measure passed 4–1.
The Brooksville City Council voted 4–1 to direct staff to prepare a formal policy limiting outside presenter times at council meetings to 15 minutes for initial presentations, with a five‑minute rebuttal and a discretionary five‑minute extension that the council could grant by vote.
The measure follows public comments urging time limits for land‑use applicants and lengthy agenda presentations. Resident Bob Morgan told the council that time limits “will expedite the hearing process and provide for timely decisions,” and recommended a 15‑minute applicant presentation, three‑minute public comments and a ten‑minute rebuttal when needed.
Council members debated whether the policy should permit petitioners to request extra time in advance and whether councilors themselves should be time‑limited when asking follow‑up questions. Vice Mayor Bronson and other councilors said staff should notify applicants of any limit before hearings and that the council must retain control to grant limited extensions if a presentation requires them.
The adopted direction asks staff to draft implementing language by resolution. The motion, as recorded, passed by a 4–1 vote; one council member opposed on grounds that the issue had arisen only once and should not be codified yet. The council clarified that the limit applies to outside presenters and petitioners, not to staff reports or council debate.
Council members and staff said the policy would be applied consistently and publicly posted in meeting materials so applicants know rules in advance. The council asked staff to include a process for applicants to request extra time ahead of a hearing and for the council to vote on any exception during the meeting.
The council’s direction does not immediately change the city code; staff will return with a drafted resolution and procedural language for formal adoption.
The council's action followed public comment from two residents who supported limits, including Jim Johnson who said a 15‑minute presentation “forces you to be focused on your presentation.”
