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Resident tells council 'putting the burden on the people that cannot afford it is wrong' in appeal over fees
Summary
During public comment a resident urged the council to reconsider fee structures that he said disproportionately harm elderly and low-income residents, citing people choosing between medicine and food.
During public comment, Kirby Hughes urged council to consider how fees and ordinances affect low-income and elderly residents, saying the county should not add burdens that force choices between medicine and food.
"Putting the burden on the people that cannot afford it is wrong," Hughes told the council, and he said the current system fails older residents who are barely surviving while younger residents may receive larger assistance amounts.
Hughes asked council members to 'open the ears of your heart' when weighing ordinances and to remember the real people who feel those costs. The council listened and offered no immediate policy response at the meeting; staff and council members said public comments would be considered and that they follow parliamentary rules limiting replies during the comment period.
The issue was recorded as public comment only; no motion or immediate staff directive was made in response during this session.
