The Grand Prairie City Council on Nov. 4 approved changes to its open-meeting rules that move citizen comments to the beginning of each meeting following the consent agenda and set new time limits for speakers. The ordinance passed 7–1.

Under the ordinance, the deadline to sign up to speak on any agenda item or for citizen comments will be the start of the meeting, before the mayor gavels it in. Speakers will get a single five minutes total to address consent-agenda items, three minutes for an individual-consideration item and three minutes for general citizen comments. The council retained discretion for the chair to extend speaking time during a give-and-take with staff.

The move was presented by staff as a way to streamline meetings and make the agenda clearer to the public. Mayor Pro Tem introduced the motion and described the timing changes and the sign-up deadline. During debate, Councilmember Shotwell requested a short, plain-language summary of the new rules to be read at the start of every meeting; the amendment was accepted.

Resident Harold R. Willis urged the council to preserve ample public access, arguing at length against the change. “This constitutional republic is under attack,” Willis said during public comment, adding he opposed limiting citizens’ time to speak. The council and staff repeatedly noted the chair can grant additional time when a question requires follow-up and that the council majority can override chair rulings.

Councilmembers who supported the change said the ordinance makes rules explicit and consistent with recent state posting requirements; opponents said it risks constraining public participation. The ordinance passed on a 7–1 roll call with one council member absent.

The council directed staff to provide a concise script summarizing the new rules at each meeting and to allow the chair discretion for additional time when interactions require it. Council members said they may revisit the rules if they cause unintended problems.