Public comment will be at the end of the Fayette County Commission meetings rather than at the beginning from now on.

Commission members voted unanimously during their recent planning retreat to move public comment to the end of meetings, saying residents with business items before the group often find their business delayed while other residents address the commission.

“If it takes us all night [to listen to public comment], that's OK,” said Commissioner Greg Dunn. “But it shouldn't take the general public all night.”

A public comment period is on the agenda to give residents a chance to address any topic they like for three minutes. Anyone who wants to speak for more than three minutes must make a formal request to be placed on the agenda.

Commissioners don't allow comment on items that are on the agenda for action during the public comment period, so there's no need to hear the comments before agenda items are acted upon, commissioners said.

Commissioner Glen Gosa suggested that citizens be given a chance to comment on agenda items as they come up.

Public comment will now be at the end of action items on the agenda, and before staff reports.

— Dave Hamrick