title
A Resolution setting up procedures for a Pre-Budget Public Comment Period.
body
WHEREAS, Section 6.04 of the Metropolitan Charter requires the Mayor to file the Operating Budget Ordinance by May 1 and Section 6.06 requires the Metropolitan Council to adopt an Operating Budget Ordinance by June 30; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.05 of the Metropolitan Charter requires a public hearing on the Operating Budget Ordinance after the first reading and the public hearing is typically held at the second reading of the Operating Budget Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, this schedule allows for valuable public feedback but there is little time or opportunity to incorporate requests into the operating budget; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council desires to provide additional means for the public to provide input into the budget process; and
WHEREAS, a public comment period earlier in the budget process would provide an opportunity for citizens to express their support for various components of the budget or proposed programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That at the meeting of the Metropolitan Council to be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Council Chamber on the second floor of the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse, the Council shall conduct a special public comment period to allow the Council to hear general comments on public requests for the operating budget or the Capital Improvements Budget.
Section 2. The procedures for this comment period shall be as follows:
A. This special comment period shall be limited to no more than two hours.
B. Individuals or organizations must sign up to speak no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Members of the public may sign up to speak using the Metro Council Public Comment Sign-Up form available at the following website:
https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/public-comment-period/sign
C. Each individual will be allowed up to two minutes to speak.
D. Each organization will be allowed a total of 10 minutes to speak.
E. Sign-up forms will be accepted and time slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If all time slots are filled, a waitlist will be created and those individuals on the waitlist will have priority to speak if speakers do not attend the meeting.
F. Speakers will be notified by the Council Office if they are on the list of speakers or waitlist no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022.
G. Speakers must check-in between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. at the check-in desk on the second floor of the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse outside of the Council Chamber. Speakers will be assigned a time slot at this time.
H. If an individual or organization signed up to speak but does not check-in by 6:15 p.m., their time slot will be given to an individual or organization on the waitlist.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.