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Commissioners debate removing public comment from work sessions and adding 'town hall' format
Summary
A commissioner proposed replacing work‑session public comment with quarterly town halls where residents submit questions in advance so staff and commissioners can research answers; the board agreed to consider language and potentially vote at the next regular meeting.
During the Dec. 2 work session, a commissioner proposed removing the public‑comment segment from future work sessions and replacing it with a quarterly town‑hall format designed for two‑way conversation. The proposal would ask residents to submit questions in advance so staff and commissioners can prepare answers and engage directly.
The proposing commissioner said the change would allow the board to research questions and have more productive back‑and‑forth. Other commissioners said town halls could be held during meetings the board already attends, so they would not require additional sessions. One commissioner asked whether the board could retain both formats; proponents responded that the town‑hall format would function as the public comment period but allow interactive discussion.
No formal motion to amend rules was adopted at the work session. Commissioners said they would think about wording and bring a plan back for consideration and a potential vote at the next regular meeting.
Implication: The proposal would change how residents interact with the board by encouraging pre‑submitted questions and live dialogue rather than an open, unstructured public‑comment period. Commissioners signaled support for exploring the idea but did not adopt a rule change at the Dec. 2 meeting.
