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Commissioners back changing public‑comment period to five minutes; formal policy change to appear on next agenda
Summary
Leavenworth County commissioners signaled support to increase the public comment time at the start of meetings from three to five minutes per speaker and expand the total early‑meeting comment window from 15 to 25 minutes. Staff will place a formal policy amendment on the next meeting agenda.
Leavenworth County commissioners discussed changes to the board’s public‑comment policy and reached a consensus to propose expanding individual speaking time and the early‑meeting comment window.
What the board agreed: staff said the board’s apparent consensus was to change the allowed time per speaker at the beginning of meetings from three minutes to five minutes and to increase the total early‑meeting time limit from 15 minutes to 25 minutes; the end‑of‑meeting comment period will remain available and the chair retains discretion to allow additional time if warranted.
Why it matters: several commissioners said three minutes is often not enough for members of the public who are unfamiliar with speaking before elected bodies to present facts and context. Commissioners noted the change would give residents more opportunity to explain concerns while preserving the chair’s ability to limit repetitive or redundant remarks.
Next steps: staff said it will place a proposed policy amendment on the board’s next agenda for formal consideration and vote.
