Millington adopts formal public-comment policy after clarification about scope and planning-commission differences

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted a public-comment policy March 9 (Resolution 9-2026) after members and staff discussed how the policy interacts with Tennessee Code Annotated 8-44-112 and how it differs from planning-commission rules.

A public commenter had asked earlier in the meeting that the board amend the proposed policy to allow constituents to speak at the end of a meeting when an item is not on the agenda. During the resolution discussion, Alderman Lawson and others reviewed statutory language and several board members and staff explained their reading: the statute’s reference to comments being "germane to the agenda" is broadly interpreted and the proposed local policy explicitly allows speakers to offer objective comments about city operations and programs that concern them, not strictly items on the planning commission agenda. Staff noted the planning commission’s public-comment approach differs because planning items come from applicants and developers and that the two bodies have distinct procedural rules.

The board voted to adopt the policy by voice vote. Board members asked that the policy be publicly posted (staff said it is on display) and clarified that the policy is intended to preserve opportunity for public input on city matters at general meetings, consistent with state law.

No amendments were made at the meeting; staff will post the policy and continue to apply it as part of meeting procedures going forward.