Hutto City Council voted to eliminate public comments by email and phone call during its July 15 meeting. The decision follows a discussion at the July 1 meeting about modifying the guidelines due to relaxed statewide COVID-19 safety measures.

The new guidelines require that comments be made in-person only, with citizens continuing to be able to speak on specific agenda items outside of the designated public comment time. The modification applies to City Council, task forces, and boards and commissions meetings. Emailed comments will be distributed to elected or appointed members but will not be read out loud, Council Member Mandi Villarreal Salvo said.

Those with disabilities and translators speaking on behalf of someone who speaks a different language or is unable to attend due to a disability will continue to be allowed twice the regular three-minute time to speak.