The Hillsborough County Commission once again will allow in-person public comment, in a limited capacity, at county board meetings beginning Aug. 4.
The board sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of its regular meetings to hear from the public.
Also, in order to maintain accessibility, the board will continue to allow a virtual option for public comment, according to a Hillsborough County news release.
COVID-19 coronavirus protocols have restricted in-person public attendance at the Hillsborough county board’s meetings, which are held in the second-floor boardroom of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., since March 2020.
Under the new rules, seating in the boardroom will be limited, with some overflow seating available in the first-floor multipurpose room. Speakers may address the county board from either location. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. Groups will be limited to four people.
Here are the guidelines for public comment:
- All speakers, whether virtual or in-person, will be required to sign up in advance at HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp.
- Online registration for both virtual and in-person public comment will open 48 hours before the meeting.
- Sign-ups for both virtual and in-person public speaking opportunities for public hearings and public comments close at 9 a.m., on the day of the meeting.
- Speakers, both virtual and in-person, will be called on in the order of when the speaker sign-up form is submitted.
Assistance will be available at the county government building between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Unless the board chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to 3 minutes.
Audiovisual presentations such as PowerPoints, digital photos, audio, and video files for public comments are not accepted at this time. However, presentations may be submitted to the clerk’s office for insertion into the official record. Please email any submissions to .
Presentations of proclamations, certificates, and other recognitions will continue to be virtual, for the time being.
For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900.
Published August 04, 2021
