Public Hearings
Public Hearings may be set by the Board at such times as it is deemed advisable for the purpose of sharing information and to receive patron input in return. The following procedures shall be followed by the Board whenever a delegation comes before it requesting a more formal hearing than is allowed through the patron input session. These meetings may be in executive session as allowed by law.
a. Position of the Board stated. After the meeting has officially opened, the Chairman of the Board shall briefly state the position of the Board, and give reasons therefore. If official action on the issue has not as yet been taken, the Chairman may so state and summarize briefly, the argument for and against the issue to be decided. Other members of the Board may also be heard at this time.
b. Speakers for and against the issue. The clerk of the Board shall secure the names of all those persons wishing to be heard before the Board. Those desiring to speak shall indicate whether they are for or against the issue involved. Persons not responding to the clerk’s request shall not be heard. The Chairman may set a reasonable time limit for each speaker.
c. Board to answer questions. After the speakers for and against the issue have been heard, the Chairman, if appropriate, may indicate that questions pertaining directly to the issue involved may be directed to the Board.
d. Action of the Board. Upon a ruling by the Chairman, closing the
public discussion, the Board may proceed with deliberations and take whatever
action it deems advisable. It is the
usual practice of the Board to take any given matter under advisement from one
meeting to the next in order to provide adequate time for study. A variation from this format would take a
majority vote of the Board.
ADOPTED: February 17, 1999