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Macon County commissioners vote 4–1 to cut public-comment time to three minutes
Summary
After discussing repeated proposals, the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on March 11 to reduce individual public-comment time from five minutes to three minutes, effective at the April meeting; Commissioner Shields was the lone dissenting vote.
After multiple prior meetings of discussion, the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on March 11 to shorten the allowed time for an individual speaker during the public-comment period from five minutes to three minutes, effective at the April meeting.
Chairman Young summarized the rationale discussed at previous meetings, saying reducing the per-speaker time would “give more people the opportunity to speak.” Commissioner Antoine moved to adopt the change; Commissioner Shearl seconded the motion. Commissioner Shields cast the lone dissenting vote; no further debate or public-record rationale from Shields was recorded in the minutes.
The board specified the change will take effect at the April meeting and instructed the clerk’s office to update the Rules of Procedure and public-comment notices accordingly. The motion to reduce time passed by a 4–1 margin.
The change modifies Rule 12(3) of the Board’s Rules of Procedure and was recorded in the minutes as a procedural amendment rather than a policy affecting service delivery. The board will implement the revised time limit beginning with public comment at its April regular meeting.
