Commissioners decline to move forward on public comment rule changes

BRADENTON — A commissioner’s proposal to amend the Manatee County Commission’s rules on public comment during board meetings never proceeded to a vote after it became clear there was no appetite for such action among commissioners.

Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique added the agenda item to Tuesday’s meeting under commissioner agenda items, hoping to make the case to the board that adjustments to the amount of time allotted per speaker for public comment might streamline meetings and help ensure proceedings would not run exceedingly late into the evening, as they did during a recent land use meeting that did not adjourn until nearly 1:00 a.m.

Siddique proposed several potential changes to public comment policies that would have impacted both citizen comment times and those of applicants. The drafted revisions may have also effectively created an arbitrary distinction for individuals perceived as providing “technical or professional” comments, deeming them worthy of additional time.

According to the agenda item’s cover sheet, suggestions included: “Individuals speaking on behalf of an organization or group to be allotted ten (10) minutes, recognizing that they represent multiple viewpoints consolidated into a single presentation; individuals offering technical input to be allotted six (6) minutes, reflecting the technical or professional value their information may provide to the record; and individuals speaking on their own behalf to be allotted three (3) minutes, ensuring that a greater number of residents have the opportunity to be heard.”

Last year, under the prior chairman's leadership, the board agreed to amend public comment rules, extending the time on quasi-judicial items and increasing deadlines for written public comment submissions, among other changes.  Months before, commissioners also moved unanimously to reinstate call-in public comments for non-quasi-judicial items during meetings.

Given the board's majority support for certain changes intended to broaden public engagement opportunities just last year, and the public's strong support for those actions, it appeared unlikely, heading into Tuesday's meeting, that Siddique's proposal would muster significant support from his peers. 

Shortly after introducing the item, commissioners offered contrary feedback, acknowledging the proposal’s well-intended motivation but overwhelmingly agreeing that it was more important to ensure fair, consistent access to public comment under the current rules than to attempt changes aimed at gaining greater control over meetings or the length of public hearings.

Commissioners Carol Felts, Bob McCann, George Kruse, Amanda Ballard, and Mike Rahn each went on the record opposing changes to the board’s meeting rules. No motion was made, and no vote was taken.

Although public comment is generally heard when a motion is before the board for a vote, the public comment period was opened under Siddique’s item, allowing members of the public to weigh in. Multiple citizens addressed the commission, expressing concerns about the proposal and thanking the board for its decision not to move forward with it.

Click the video below to replay the board discussion and public comment regarding a proposal to make changes to board meeting rules, held during the February 10, 2026, Manatee County Board of County Commissioners meeting.