New public comment policy to launch in Thurston County 

Public comment is moving to a two-track format to separate agenda specific remarks from general business in Thurston County. 

In a 4–1 decision, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a plan that confines the initial public comment period to topics listed on the meeting agenda. 

A second round of public comment, scheduled just before adjournment, will be open to any concerns that fall under county jurisdiction. 

The new public comment format change is set to roll out as a six-month trial, following discussion at the board’s May 28 agenda setting meeting. 

BOCC Vice Chair Wayne Fournier, who drafted the change, said the update is based on issues he saw during his time as Tenino’s mayor. 

He said it “helps manage expectations” and provides the public better direction on when and how to raise their concerns. It avoids a pattern where residents use board meetings to air grievances unrelated to legislative or policy decisions. 

According to Fournier, many residents often show up with real concerns, such as code complaints and neighborhood issues, but speak during the early session without knowing the board has no power to address those matters on the spot. 

“It was more disheartening than frustrating to me when somebody comes in that is, like, honestly concerned about something, and they don’t know where to go … and then we say thank you. And maybe, or maybe not, they get guidance," he shared 

He explained the change helps steer more general concerns to a spot in the meeting where staff can follow up or give referrals. It also sets a boundary between legislative action and basic assistance. 

Three-minute rule 

Fournier called the new public comment format a fix for what he described as “disjointed engagement.” He said it is not fair to the public or the board when people speak at length about something the board has no control over. 

Both comment sessions will be timed to give speakers up to three minutes. The new format will debut in mid-June.

The current limit is four minutes, but the board said most counties in Washington already use the three-minute standard. 

Fournier also pointed out that the two chances to speak, early for agenda topics and later for general concerns, increases access overall. 

“You’re giving them six minutes to come in. ... They get another three minutes at the end to tell us again," he said. 

BOCC Chair Tye Menser backed the new setup, and said the dual format preserves the public’s right to speak on any issue. At the same time, it keeps meetings on track and focused on what the board can actually work on. 

Menser described the dual-period system as “the most workable” version after reviewing several versions with Fournier. He said the format gives space for both kinds of input, just in different parts of the meeting. 

Fixed hearing slots 

Commissioner Carolina Mejia supported the policy, but asked for clarity on how it would function during meetings that include scheduled public hearings. 

She asked whether speakers signed up for the second comment slot would be required to wait until after a 3:30 p.m. hearing or whether the board would pause that portion of the agenda. 

County Manager Leonard Hernandez confirmed that public hearings must begin exactly as scheduled once posted with a specific time. He cited requirements under Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.070).

“Those are legal requirements that if we don’t follow them, we really can’t proceed with business,” Hernandez said. 

Clerk of the Board Amy Davis added public hearings are considered a separate type of proceeding and must be completed before the board adjourns. 

If a hearing is scheduled and the board has not finished comment, Davis said the board must pause public comment, complete the hearing, and then return to finish the meeting. 

Mejia srequested guidance for situations where scheduled hearings and the second public comment session overlap.

She also reminded the board that she had previously advocated for a longer comment time in the past to give the public more time to speak. 

Equity concerns 

Commissioner Emily Clouse opposed the motion. 

She said she agreed with the intent of the policy, but could not support implementation without first informing the public. She then asked that the change be announced publicly first, giving people time to understand and respond before the format kicks in. 

“I would not be able to vote yes on a motion until after we’ve had that opportunity ... I want to hear public feedback before I can vote 'yes' to make a specific change like that," she said. 

Clouse also raised concerns for residents who might have health challenges, hearing impairments or mobility issues. She relayed that sitting through a whole meeting just to give feedback at the end might be too much for some. 

“I just would hate to make things harder for anybody,” she said. 

Davis assured that assisted listening devices are available in the boardroom. Hernandez backed the claim and said residents can request extra support ahead of time through the clerk’s office under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Commissioner Rachel Grant voted in favor of the format change, but admitted she had reservations about cutting down speaker time. 

She suggested reviewing the three-minute limit after the pilot period and adjusting if needed. 

“I just hate to take away a minute from one single bit of anyone sharing something with us,” she said. 

Menser and Fournier both said the board chair still has leeway or discretion to let people finish if they were presenting new information.  

“You will notice that I will let that person finish their statement,” said Menser, adding that he only intervenes when the content becomes repetitive or drifts too far of scope of the meeting. 

Fournier added the chair will receive a script to guide speakers back on topic during the agenda comment session. 

He cited examples from other jurisdictions, including Pierce County and the Building Code Council, that use similar language to redirect speakers. 

“It creates a more productive and respectful process,” he said. 

Hernandez also confirmed again that public hearings must be held exactly when advertised, and those times take precedence over everything else on the agenda. 

Fournier said the purpose of the new format is not to shut anyone down, but to create a process where staff can offer support after the board finishes its business. 

“We’re not holding open court … we’re there to hold the business and conduct the business of the county,” he said. 

The BOCC agreed to monitor how the change works during the six-month pilot and reevaluate it. They plan to track how long meetings run, how many people speak, and whether the split format helps or causes new issues. 

Implementation of the two-track comment format will begin at the June 17 meeting and a formal announcement will be made at the June 3 meeting.  

Written public comments may be submitted through the board’s official comment system.