PUBLIC COMMENTS RULES. AND PROCEDURES BERTIE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  The Bertie County Board of Commissioners is committed to allowing members oft the public an opportunity to offer comments and suggestions for the efficient and effective administration of government. In order tol balance the need and desire fors such citizen input with the necessity of disposing ofits regular business in the course oft the meeting, the Board 1. During the Board's regular meetings, Public Comments will be limited to two 15 minute periods- one at the 2. Inr regards tol Public Hearings, persons who wish to address thel Board during thel Public Comment period ofthese meetings will register on1 the sign-up sheet located at the entrance ofthe meeting location. Sign-up sheets willl be 3. Each speaker willl have three (3) minutes to make his/her remarks at both regular meetings and public hearings. A timekeeper will be designated by the Board Chair, who willl begin timing the speaker and will announce "time" 4. Speakers will be acknowledged by thel Board Chairi int the orderi in which their names appear on1 the sign-up sheet. Speakers will address thel Board from thej podium ati the: front of the room and begin their remarks by stating their  does hereby establish the following Public Comment Procedures:  beginning oft the meeting, and another towards the conclusion oft thei meeting.  available thirty (30) minutes before the start oft the hearing.  when the allotted time expires.  name and address.  5. Itisn recommended that groups or delegations select their spokespersons in advance ofthe meeting. 6. Speakers will address all comments to the Board or County as a whole and not to one individual commissioner or to any individual County staff member. Discussion between speakers and members of the audience is not 7. Speakers will be courteous and respectful in their language and presentation and must refrain from personal attacks and the use of profanity. Willfully interrupting, disturbing or disrupting a meeting and then refusing to 8. During regular meetings, citizens are allowed to speak during both public comments sections (therefore, receive 9. Speakers who have prepared written remarks or supporting documents are encouraged to leave a copy of such 10. At the end ofas speaker's comments, any member ofthe Board may ask the speaker such questions ori make such 11. At any time, the Board Chairman or designee may shorten or lengthen the Public Comment period based on the 12. Copies ofthese Rules and Procedures willl be available on1 thet table located: neart the entrancèofthei meeting room as well as on line int the "Meetings" section of the websitel homepage located aty ww.co.berthne.s  allowed.  leave when directed to dos so by the Chairi is a criminal offense. at total oftwo (2) three-minute sessions), ifneeded, and iftime allows.  remarks and documents with the Clerk to the Board prior to the start ofthe meeting.  comments as they might deem appropriate. public's amount ofinterest to address the Board.  Adopted by thel Board ofCommissioners this the day of  ATTEST:  Seal STsham a Sarah S. Tinkham, Clerk to1 the Board  John Trent, Chairman  3  Bertie County Board of Commissioners