Public Comments During BOCC Meetings
Public Participation Encouraged. The Board recognizes the right of all persons to address their elected officials and express their thoughts and opinions about County Government matters. The Board encourages participation in the County government process, whether through public comment, volunteering to serve on a County Board, or emailing, calling or meeting with County Commissioners or County Staff.
How and when Public Comment is Taken. It is recognized that Board Meetings are a limited public forum in which the Board must conduct necessary County business and so these rules balance the right of individuals to speak on County government issues, while ensuring the transaction of County business in a timely manner.
How to Submit Public Comment. Any person may submit comment on agenda items or non-agenda items: (a) In-person by attending the Board meeting and speaking on an agenda item and/or during a general public comment period; and/or (b) Electronically by submitting comment via email to levybocc@levycounty.org, or via the public comment form online below.
General Public Comment. General public comment is an opportunity for persons to address the Board on issues that are not on the agenda at the Regular Meeting. Each speaker is limited to a maximum of 3 minutes and the total public comment period is limited to 30 minutes. Since Special Meetings and Workshops are limited to the specific matter(s) on the agenda, there will not be general public comment, but public comment will be taken on the agenda items.
Public Comment on Agenda Items. The Board will take public comment on all agenda items, except for ministerial acts or those taken by the Board to deal with an emergency situation affecting the public health, welfare or safety, if allowing public comment would cause an unreasonably delay in the ability of the Board to act. Generally, each speaker is limited to a maximum of 3 minutes and most confine their comment to the agenda item being considered. As directed by the presiding officer, public comment may be taken once during an item, rather than upon every motion concerning that item.
Time Limits. Time limits in this Rule are a guide and other time limits may be established by the presiding officer based on the number of participants and/or to provide equal time for opponents and proponents speaking to any particular issue.
Procedures for Public Comment. Each speaker is encouraged to submit a public comment form (via email or on-line) in advance of the meeting; however, at a minimum , each person who speaks during public comment must:
1. state their name in an audible tone of voice;
2. limit their comments to the topic (general or agenda item) and the time provided;
3. address their comments to the Chair as the presiding officer and not to any individual member of the Board, any member of staff, nor any other member of the public;
4. follow directions given by the presiding officer; and
5. provide 7 copies of any documents they present to the Clerk for distribution to the Board members, the Board Office and the Clerk. These documents will not be returned to the speaker.
The deadline to submit an online public comment form is Monday before a board meeting no later than 5:00 P.M. There are two public comment sections on the agenda, one at the beginning and one towards the end of the meeting.
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.