Board pauses proposed bylaws change to limit public-comment speakers after extensive debate and public outcry

The Greene County Board of Supervisors tabled a draft revision to its bylaws that would have limited "matters from the public" to Greene County residents, business owners, and landowners and required more detailed sign-up information.

Chair opened the discussion saying the changes were intended as administrative "housekeeping" to keep meetings efficient and to ensure sign-up sheets are legible. "We have discussed keeping residents, business owners, and landowners in Greene County, to be the people that are qualified to speak under matters in the public because that's who we work for," the chair said during the debate. He emphasized the intent was to manage meeting time and not to suppress speech.

Several supervisors urged caution and public-perception review; one board member (S3) moved to table the draft and direct staff to survey what similar counties do and return with recommendations. The board carried the motion to table and asked staff to prepare a side-by-side chart comparing Greene County's draft with peer localities.

The tabling followed a lengthy public-comment period in which many residents and non-residents addressed the board. Dozens of speakers urged the board not to curtail out-of-county voices, arguing that people who work in or are affected by county actions should be heard. Melanie Johnson (S23) told the board: "End all of this today. Return our tax dollars and your focus to county government where it belongs." Multiple speakers asked for transparency regarding the sheriff's cooperation with ICE and called for audits and data on stops and detentions.

The board directed staff to research best practices, prepare comparative materials, and return with recommendations prior to any further action on the bylaws draft.