The Monroe County Board of Health will hold an open discussion Thursday regarding its public comment policy.
Dawne “Aurora” DiOrio, president of the health board, said the board has never had a formal policy, and creating one would help maintain efficient meetings. She also said a formal policy would give equal respect and attention to in-person and online comments. She said it’s a careful balance that requires the input of the public and board members alike.
“Should we allow public comment on items not on the agenda, as has always been done?” she said. “Should we limit it to comments just on the agenda? Should we have the public comments be item-by-item before we vote?”
DiOrio said significant decisions still need to be made by the board, including how to incorporate online comments, encourage timid potential commenters to engage in the process, and develop a system to assure online commenters their concerns are being received.
Thursday’s discussion will not result in any decisive action.
“This is very much a working document. It is a draft. Nobody should think that this is our final policy,” she said.
DiOrio hopes to have a second draft prepared after Thursday’s meeting, then hold a larger public input meeting at a larger venue in July and finally vote to adopt the policy in August. That timeline will be pushed back if the entire board isn’t satisfied with the policy.
Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at 119 W. 7th Street. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed.