Commission draws criticism for proposed public comment rule change

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Commission drew criticism for a proposed change to public comment rules.

Chairman Jeff Eversole had proposed that anyone who wished to speak to the Commission on a matter not on their agenda would have to request to speak a week in advance and be approved to do so.

This drew staunch opposition from several commissioners who said this went against the Commission’s mission of being transparent.

Additionally, citizens said it would make an already difficult process even worse for those wishing to speak.

One such citizen, Kim Helton, told commissioners, “It’s already a burden for many who have to miss work to attend these weekday morning meetings. Residents are not paid to be here. Some lose money in order to attend. If a resident is already at a meeting, why should they have to sign up to speak the next week, wait to see if they are approved, and then attend another meeting just to speak for three minutes?”

Ultimately, the section of the resolution that would have changed these rules was amended out, and the rest of the resolution was passed.

This means that anyone who shows up can still speak at the end of meetings without previously signing up.

Changes were approved to four other rules that pertain to commissioners and not to the general public.