HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Hearing Policy
OTTER TAIL COUNTY – MINNESOTA
PUBLIC HEARING POLICY
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A public hearing is a meeting that is held where members of the public can express their opinions. The board
is there to regulate the hearing and make sure that people who want to speak get the opportunity to do so.
The board does not deliberate or discuss matters during the public hearing portion of this type of meeting;
instead, it listens to the public.
The following public hearing rules have been established:
The presiding officer will state the purpose of the public hearing and will invite the public to
testify. The presiding officer will call upon individuals in the order of which they are scheduled.
Individuals wishing to speak at a public hearing shall sign in upon entering the public hearing.
Individuals will be allowed to testify once and may not yield time to another speaker.
Individuals must identify themselves (i.e. name and address).
Individuals must address the topic of the public hearing and must keep their testimony to 3
minutes or less.
Individuals must direct their remarks solely to county board members.
Speakers must be respectful to the board, staff, and others in the audience. Any speaker who
uses foul, abusive or inappropriate language or uses foul, abusive or inappropriate displays or
other support materials will be stopped and will not be allowed to continue with his/her comments
and will be removed from the meeting.
The board will not respond to questions, deliberate or discuss matters during the public hearing
portion of a meeting.
Individuals submitting letters or other documentation must provide those materials to the board
secretary. All written correspondence and other documentation provided will become part of the
public record. Written correspondence, other documentation and comments will not be accepted
after the public hearing is closed