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Citizen's Comment & Public Hearings
Step-by-step instructions - Viewing live streamed meetings on the County website (PDF)
There is a difference between a Citizen's (Public) Comment Period and a Public Hearing. Read on to learn more.
Citizen's (public) Comment Periods
This time is provided at every regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors for citizens to speak on community issues that are not scheduled for public hearing. Citizen's comments are not taken at budget work sessions. There may or may not be a Citizen's Comment Period at special called meetings. Speakers are given one opportunity of three minutes and must provide their name and district of residence. Agenda packets for Board of Supervisors meetings are normally available for download from the County website three days in advance of the meeting and will help you determine at what point during the meeting the comment period will occur. Citizens are invited to speak during Citizen's Comment periods in person, or if they are unable to attend. Please complete the Citizen's Comment Submittal Form below only if you wish to submit a written comment and do not plan to attend the meeting in-person.
CITIZEN'S (PUBLIC) COMMENT SUBMITTAL FORM
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Public Hearings
Public Hearings are scheduled for specific issues on which the Board wishes to receive public comment and as required by statute. Some examples of Public Hearing issues are changes to County Ordinances, Conditional Use Permit applications, Budget Adoption, and the like. They are advertised in advance of the meeting at which they will be considered. Advertisements appear on the County website, are posted to the front door of the County Administration Building, and are run in the County’s newspaper of record – the Tidewater Review. Download the meeting agenda from the County website to see the order in which each issue will be addressed. You may also find information contained in the agenda packet which answers or addresses your questions and concerns. The order of business for Public Hearings is staff presentation, applicant’s presentation (if any, in land use matters), and public comment. Speakers are given one opportunity of three minutes and must provide their name and district of residence. The Board of Supervisors or other public body may modify and/or set other rules governing the conduct of Public Hearings. Please complete the Public Hearing Form below only if you wish to submit a written comment and do not plan to attend the meeting in-person.
PUBLIC HEARINGS CITIZEN COMMENTS SUBMITTAL FORM