Madison County updates public‑comment and remote‑attendance rules to align with Open Meetings guidance

Madison County adopted Ordinance 2021‑06 on Nov. 17 to update meeting rules for public input and remote participation.

The ordinance revises Section 30.02(Q) to detail public‑comment procedures, including a 15‑minute public‑comment period, three‑minute speaker allotments, optional pre‑registration and limits on disruptive language. It clarifies that written statements are treated as correspondence and are not read aloud, and it requires a telephone number or electronic link for remote meetings held under disaster or legal authorization. The ordinance also adds two sections (30.02(S) and 30.02(T)) that set standards for remote participation: members may attend electronically under specified conditions (quorum physical presence, 24‑hour notice when possible, stated reason for absence) and procedures for roll‑call voting, minutes and equipment sufficient to let the public hear discussion.

Under the disaster‑declaration provisions, the ordinance permits fully remote meetings without a physically present quorum when a governor or public‑health declaration covers the county, subject to verification of participating members, at least one official physically present at the regular meeting location when feasible, verbatim audio/video recording availability, roll‑call votes and notice requirements. The county adopted the ordinance by roll call (ayes 22, nays 0).

The changes bring the county's ordinances into alignment with updated Open Meetings Act interpretations and provide procedures for reliable remote participation while preserving public‑access and roll‑call record requirements.