Oliver County planning board reviews bylaws, public-comment rules and approves 2026 meeting dates

The Oliver County Planning and Zoning board reviewed a comprehensive set of bylaws adapted from other counties, covering chair/vice-chair duties, attendance expectations, subcommittee rules and public-comment procedures.

Staff explained the draft borrows language from Morton County and other counties to provide new board members with clearer guidance on meeting conduct, quorum, and absence thresholds (for example, removal after three consecutive unexcused regular-meeting absences or six regular meetings in a calendar year). Members debated whether excusal authority should reside with the chair or with the county commissioners and agreed that the commissioners — as the appointing authority — should determine removal procedures.

The board also discussed public comment procedures. Staff noted state law requires public comment at meetings, but the format (whether a general public-comment period or itemized comment after each agenda item) can vary by jurisdiction. The draft recommends a public-comment period with a time limit; members supported adding a standard public-comment item to the meeting agenda and proposing a two- to three-minute time limit per speaker.

Before adjournment, the board approved the 2026 meeting calendar (regular meetings set for the last Thursday of each month, with holiday adjustments) by motion; the motion carried unanimously.