The Jefferson County Health Department will hold a town hall meeting to give residents a chance to speak their minds about topics related to the public health agency.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15 at the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, 10345 Business 21. The meeting will be recorded but not live-streamed, according to Brianne Zwiener, public communications officer.
Board of Trustees Chairperson Tim Pigg said people who attend the meeting may talk about whatever they like.
“They can express opinions to the Health Department and to the board,” Pigg said. “Instead of doing it by email, they can do it in person.”
Board members will not respond or comment during the meeting, which could violate the Missouri Sunshine Law’s requirement that a governmental agency post what its board is going to talk about prior to meetings.
Pigg said the Health Department board may not talk about something not listed on its meeting agenda.
Rules
The department has released a list of meeting ground rules.
■ All speakers must be fully signed in by 6:30 p.m., and speakers will be called to the podium in the order they sign up.
■ Speakers will have between three to five minutes to speak to the board, depending on the number of speakers registered. The time limit will be officially announced once the meeting begins. Speakers should be mindful of their allotted time and stay within the time limit provided.
■ If speakers have handouts, they should have enough copies for all five trustees.
■ Speakers should use respectful language and be courteous in tone.
■ Only the speaker with the microphone should speak or comment at any given time. Audience members and speakers should refrain from disruptive behavior, such as shouting, speaking without being recognized and interrupting others.
Pigg said he originally hoped to hold the meeting on May 11, and on April 27, the board voted to schedule the meeting for that date, with a time and location to be determined. A few weeks later, however, the department announced the meeting would be held June 15 so all the trustees would be available to attend.
Another town hall meeting may be scheduled for later this year.