Boone County Council adds five-minute council-comments item after debate over limits

Boone County Council voted to add a council-comments item to the end of future agendas and to set a five-minute time limit for that section.

The council held an extended discussion about whether elected members should have a time-limited period to raise issues not on the agenda. Several council members opposed putting time limits on elected officials’ remarks, calling the idea a potential “slippery slope.” Others argued a set limit is a useful tool to keep meetings on schedule and that the council can suspend rules by motion if members need more time.

After debate, a motion to add council comments with a five-minute limit passed by roll call vote 4–3. Several members indicated the rule can be revisited in the future.

Why it matters: The new agenda item creates a formal, time-bound opportunity for council members to raise issues that were not part of the evening’s agenda but does not restrict discussion on agenda items themselves.

Details on the vote: Roll-call responses recorded on the motion included yes votes from Councilmen Lamar, Ritchie, Van Horn and one other member; no votes from Councilmen Reiner, Buckett and Williams. The motion carried 4–3.

Quotable: During debate one member said putting time constraints on elected members is “a slippery slope,” while another noted that communities frequently include time limits and that the council can suspend the rule by majority vote if additional time is warranted.

Implementation: The council’s clerk will add “council comments” to future agendas with a five-minute allotment; members may move to suspend the time limit with a council vote.