Why it matters
The bill, which takes effect Sept. 1, changes the requirement for posting public meeting notices from 72 hours to three business days.
Commissioners said they will hold Tuesday meetings through the end of the year to avoid disrupting existing schedules and public hearings. Agendas will be posted earlier to meet the new legal requirement until the permanent switch is made in January.
“We adopted a county calendar at the beginning of the year, not just the five of us, but all of y'all also set your calendars based on that,” Wheeler said. “Rather than changing for the rest of the year, we'll just change our agenda process for the rest of the year, which will be a little bit of a pain for staff, and I apologize to staff.”
The change will also affect other boards, committees and departments that post public meetings, County Clerk Brandon Steinmann said.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners also discussed a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating roadside vendors, panhandlers and live animal sellers operating in public rights of way through House Bill 2012.
Commissioner Matt Gray said the measure is needed to give law enforcement tools to address public safety concerns.
“We’re tired of the nonsense,” Gray said. “This is countywide. ... It will not be tolerated. We take public safety serious.”
House Bill 2012 will take effect Sept. 1 and would allow citations or arrests for unpermitted vending in medians, intersections, parking lots or public roadways, per the bill.
Commissioners said vendors have created dangerous traffic conditions, caused crashes and undercut permitted businesses. Gray also cited concerns over the inhumane treatment of live animals sold in the heat.
While no action was taken, a draft ordinance will be brought back before the court prior to Sept. 1 for consideration. County officials said they will use the interim period to gather feedback and fine-tune language.
