Board of Commissioners'
Guidelines for Public Participation
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners serves as the governing body for Lancaster County. The County Board is charged with various legislative and administrative duties, including the management of county funds, maintenance of county property, adoption of the county budget, setting of tax levies and salaries of elected and appointed officials, and the administration of various programs established by state law.
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Regular Tuesday Meeting
The regular meeting of the County Board is held each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the County-City Building, on the first floor in the Council Chambers, Room 112. On occasion the Board may schedule an evening meeting. Please refer to the agenda for the exact date and time. The meetings of the County Board are open to the public. Comments from members of the public are welcome and will be scheduled as follows:
Items on the Agenda:
Those wishing to speak on items specific to the agenda are asked to do so when
that item is called by the County Clerk. The Board Chair will recognize, and
call forward, those citizens who wish to speak. Each speaker is limited to five
(5) minutes. The County Clerk, or the Clerk's staff, will indicate when one
(1) minute remains to allow for the summary of remarks. Time may be extended
at the discretion of the County Board Chair.
Items not on the Agenda:
Those wishing to speak on items not on the agenda may speak during the
Emergency Items & Other Business portion of the agenda. The Board Chair will
recognize, and call forward, those citizens who wish to speak. The public comment
period is limited to thirty (30) minutes in duration and each speaker is
limited to five (5) minutes. The County Clerk, or the Clerk's staff, will
indicate when one (1) minute remains to allow for the summary of remarks.
These time limits may be extended at the discretion of the County Board Chair.
(All citizens who speak are asked to print their name and address on the sign-up sheet located on the dais, stating verbally for the record their first and last names.)
2. Thursday Staff Meeting
The County Board holds a staff meeting each Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the County-City Building, on the first floor in Room 113. Staff meetings are open to the public.
3. Agendas
Agendas and supporting documentation for County Board meetings are public record and are kept on file in the Lancaster County Clerk's office. Information regarding agendas may be obtained by calling the Clerk's office at 441-7484, or by coming in person to the Clerk's office during normal business hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
4. Public Hearings
Public hearings are conducted by the County Board when required by law or when a public hearing will assist the County Board in the formation of sound public policy or the efficient administration of county government. Most public hearings held by the County Board are conducted during the Tuesday Board meeting. Items for which a public hearing will be conducted are set forth on the agenda under the Public Hearing section. Members of the public may give testimony to the County Board during a public hearing. Each person offering testimony will be asked to print their name and address on the sign in sheet located on the dais, verbally stating their fist and last name for the record. The County Clerk will then administer the oath before testimony begins.
The order of testimony shall be as follows:
- Applicant (if any);
- Proponents of the proposed action;
- Opponents of the proposed action;
- Testimony in a neutral capacity, including comments from staff members or individuals seeking information about the proposed action;
- Rebuttal by the applicant (if applicable).
Those testifying should identify any organization or group they may be representing. Large groups in attendance which are supporting or opposing the same position with regard to the subject of a public hearing should choose one or two spokespersons to represent the group. The spokesperson(s) may ask the group to stand to give the County Board an idea of the number of persons sharing a similar viewpoint. Those testifying are encouraged to avoid giving repetitive or irrelevant testimony. Each speaker is limited to five (5) minutes. The County Clerk, or the Clerk's staff, will indicate when one (1) minute remains to allow for the summary of remarks. Time may be extended at the discretion of the County Board Chair.
An interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request. Please contact the County Clerk's office at 441-7484 at least 48 hours in advance if this accommodation is required, or if you have any other special communication needs.
