
New rules regarding public comment will be in effect at future Locust Grove city council meetings after council members voted unanimously to adopt a new ordinance. No council members offered commentary regarding the new rules.
The new ordinance provides meeting attendees up to three minutes per speaker to address the city council, provided he or she signs up to speak prior to the start of the meeting. The ordinance limits the public comment period to ten minutes in length, which may be extended at the discretion of the mayor and council.
No public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance. Georgia law does not require a public hearing since the subject matter does not cover the adoption of the annual budget, setting of a millage rate, or planning & zoning items.
The ten minute overall length is one of the shortest public comment periods in metro Atlanta. During a recent article series by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, looking at public comment rules for county commissions and city councils within the five core counties, no local government utilizes a ten minute limit as their only timeframe for public comment.
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