Riley County adopts formal citizen-agenda policy to standardize requests

The Riley County Commission on April 23 unanimously adopted a written citizen-agenda policy intended to standardize how residents request items be placed on the commission agenda.

Jacob Anthony, the county counselor, presented the draft and said he had circulated it to county departments and that “everybody is agreeable to this policy,” describing it as a memorialization of existing practice. The policy requires a citizen to appear during the public-comment period at a regular meeting to state the requested item, how much time is needed and what action the citizen seeks; commissioners may then approve the item, direct staff to coordinate scheduling, schedule the item for the end of the meeting that day, deny the request, or take other action they deem reasonable.

Supporters said the policy provides a clear baseline while preserving flexibility for department heads. The county counselor noted an exception allowing department heads or commissioners to schedule outside agencies directly when appropriate, a measure intended to avoid hampering operational needs.

A motion to adopt the policy as presented was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; the county will post the new policy on the Riley County website.