Rice County Press Release, June 28, 2023
Seeking more public input, board schedules open monthly forums
On Tuesday, the Rice County Board of Commissioners approved a schedule of monthly open forums.
These forums will provide opportunities for members of the public to speak on topics not on an agenda, but relevant to the county’s work and within its authority. The 30-minute open forums will begin at 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, though the board chair, at their discretion, may extend the comment period.
Each speaker will be allotted three minutes to address the board. To ensure a complete record of the meetings, speakers will be asked to fill out a card with their name, the issue they plan to address and whether they are a county resident. Online participants will be asked to provide that information verbally.
The newly established open forum schedule is in addition to expanded opportunities being provided for public comment on agenda items during county board and Committee of the Whole meetings.
The board adopted Rules of Public Participation at its June 13 meeting, part of a board effort to create additional opportunities for the it to hear from constituents. The policy will allow time for attendees, in person and participating online, to address the board on items on the session’s agenda during Committees of the Whole and county board meetings.
The policy also includes rules of decorum intended to ensure members of the public can be heard in a fair and impartial manner and that meetings are conducted in a way that’s open to all viewpoints, yet free from abusive, distracting or intimidating behavior.
Board Chair Steve Underdahl, at the June 13 meeting, noted that the Rules of Public Participation is a “living document” and can be amended by the board if it desires.
“This is a major step forward in the way the board interacts with the public,” he said.
Contact:
Sara Folsted, Rice County Administrator
sara.folsted@ricecountymn.gov
507-332-6100
Suzy Rook, Communications Coordinator
suzy.rook@ricecountymn.gov
507-384-6509
