City of Lake Wales issued the following announcement on Nov. 25
City commissioners have adopted a resolution that will amend the public participation portion of future meetings.
The changes are designed to allow the commission to more effectively serve the public, and help ensure that speakers appear before the group regarding specific and relevant topics to the commission and the meeting agenda.
Under the new policy, speakers are now limited to citizens, taxpayers, business owners and utility customers in Lake Wales. Speakers will continue to have five minutes for their comments. Individuals that don’t fall under one of those categories could still be allowed to speak at commission meetings, but must arrange to do so ahead of time and as an agenda item, not during the “communications and petitions” portion of the meeting which the new policy covers.
Practically speaking, commissioners want to continue to encourage public comment, but from those that are direct stakeholders in the city’s business, and on matters on which the commission can take action if deemed necessary.
“You have with this the ability to deal with whether it’s relevant and whether it deals with specifics this body is considering. It’s not just whatever you want to talk about.” City Attorney Chuck Galloway noted. “And there is additional language that makes it clearer to address subject matter that’s within the commission’s scope and authority and may be of assistance in carrying out the commission’s responsibilities.”
Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson noted that the change will help the commission be more effective in dealing with issues.
“The main thing is that it keeps the comments to something we can do something about. It’s within our scope of authority. It keeps us from being weighed down by just being a free soap box for anyone who wants to talk about anything. Sometimes it’s nothing we can do anything about. If it’s within our scope of authority then it’s worth our time to consider it.”
The commission is expected to consider modifying the Code of Ordinances according to the Resolution during its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, starting at 6 p.m. at the City Administration Building.
About Lake Wales: The City of Lake Wales was incorporated in May 1917 and has a present day population of over 16,000. Located at the crossroads of State Road 60 and U.S. Highway 27, Lake Wales continues to build for the present and future. Home to the nearby historic Bok Tower Gardens, the City has recommitted to fulfilling the Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. vision of becoming a “City in a Garden”. The City’s mission is to serve and unify its citizens, to foster economic growth while building on Lake Wales’ small town values, and to promote the Edward Bok ethic that we make our City a “bit better or more beautiful” for being here”.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up