§ 209. Meetings.

A.

Meetings of the board. The board shall meet regularly, at such times and places as the board may prescribe by rule. The board shall determine its own rules and order of business, including establishing rules to enable the board to conduct orderly and efficient meetings while preserving the opportunity for citizen input.

B.

The right to be heard and the right to public input. Any citizen has the right to appear before the board on an agenda item for the presentation, adjustment or determination of an issue, matter or request within the county's authority and jurisdiction, so far as the orderly conduct of public business permits. Matters shall be reasonably scheduled for the convenience of the general public, and specific portions of each agenda shall provide for designated times so that the public may know when a matter has been scheduled. In addition, to encourage and ensure citizen participation in county government and to afford citizens an opportunity to speak to the board, the board shall set aside at least fifteen (15) minutes at the beginning of each regular meeting of the board for citizens to speak to the board on any matter of public interest under the board's authority and jurisdiction regardless of whether the public issue is on the board's agenda. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not be construed to supersede, supplement, or modify any citizen participation process established in state law for public hearings before the board, such as the procedures for quasi-judicial hearings. Nor shall the provisions of this subsection be used to avoid, supersede or modify the county's procurement and lobbying ordinances, including, but not limited to, the "protest process" and the "black-out period."

C.

Special meetings. Special meetings may be held on the call of the county mayor or of three (3) or more board members, upon no less than twelve (12) hours' effective notice to each board member, except in the event of an emergency. Effective notice is notice served personally, or left at the usual place of residence or place of business of the particular board member sought to be notified.

D.

Reservation of citizen rights. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict a citizen's rights created by local or state statute, law, ordinance, or regulation.

(Amended November 1988; November 2004; November 2008 )

State law reference

Public meetings required, F.S. § 286.011.