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Scotts Bluff County commissioners direct attorney to draft invocation policy after public debate
Summary
After a lengthy debate and public comment, the Scotts Bluff County Board voted 3‑1 to ask civil attorney Jason Ocean to draft a neutral, noncoercive policy and resolution for opening meetings with a prayer or invocation.
The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners voted to instruct civil attorney Jason Ocean to draft a written policy and proposed resolution for opening board meetings with a prayer or invocation, after hearing legal guidance and public comment.
Ocean, the county civil attorney, told the board that U.S. Supreme Court precedents allow brief legislative prayers if the practice remains noncoercive and neutral. "Prayer may be used to open a public meeting in Nebraska, but it must follow U.S. Supreme Court ... legislative prayer standards, to remain noncoercive, inclusive in opportunity, and primarily directed at solemnizing the body's work," Ocean said in his presentation to the board. He recommended a written policy that limits proselytizing, records participating speakers and uses a neutral sign‑up system.
The issue drew public speakers who urged different approaches. Judy Amoo, a member of the public, said she opposed formal prayers at meetings and worried about perceptions of exclusion. "Bringing prayer and church and state together in a meeting such as this does not seem appropriate to me," she said. Pastor Jake Roberts, who said he has led public prayers at community events, told the board he would participate if invited and that "all my prayers end in the name of Jesus."
Commissioners debated options including a moment of silence, volunteer invocations and a chaplain model. After discussion the board chair moved that the civil attorney prepare a policy and proposed resolution for consideration at a future meeting; the motion was seconded and carried by a recorded announcement of 3 yeses and 1 no (Commissioner Parsley cast the lone dissent). The board asked Ocean to present draft language and supporting guidance (including suggested recordkeeping) at the next regular meeting.
Next steps: Ocean will prepare the draft policy and resolution for the board packet; the board will consider it at a future meeting and could adopt formal procedures if it chooses.
