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Waxahachie adopts new meeting rules: three-minute public comments and online sign-ups to begin Feb. 2, 2026
Summary
The Waxahachie City Council approved an ordinance requiring advance sign-up for public hearings, shortening speaking time from five to three minutes and directing staff to publicize procedures; council set the effective date for the first meeting in February (Feb. 2, 2026).
City staff presented an ordinance to add a new article on rules of procedure to the city code that would standardize public-hearing sign-up, shorten individual speaking time and set notification processes for speakers.
Amber (staff) said the ordinance codified council direction from earlier work sessions and included a front-of-room sign-up location plus an online sign-up option that would close at 4:00 p.m. on the meeting day. Amber told the council that, if approved, the ordinance would shorten the public-speaking limit from five minutes to three minutes for public hearings and public comments, and staff would run an outreach campaign to notify the public of the change.
Councilmembers debated the effective date and asked that the city give the public and their staff adequate time to publicize the new rule during the holidays. The council amended the ordinance so the rule would take effect at the first meeting in February and applied the change to council meetings, planning and zoning and to other boards and commissions.
A councilmember moved approval with the amended effective date of Feb. 2, 2026; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
What changes residents should expect: sign-up at the meeting (a table near the front) and an online option that closes at 4 p.m. on meeting day; speaking time for public hearings and public comments will be limited to three minutes; staff will publish instructions on the city website and social media.
Quotes
"We will have a sign up area at the front of the meeting room, for people to sign up ... and you'll be able to sign up online," Amber said, describing logistics for the new process.
Ending
The ordinance was approved with an effective date at the first February meeting (Feb. 2, 2026); staff said it will coordinate communications so the public is informed before the change takes effect.
