49-471.06. Public participation; written statements; oral proceedings

A. A control officer may informally meet with any interested party to discuss a proposed rule or ordinance making action. A control officer may solicit comments, suggested language or other input on the proposed rule or ordinance. A control officer may post notice of these meetings on the county's website.

B. For at least thirty days after posting of the notice of the proposed rule or ordinance making on the county's website, a control officer shall accept written statements, arguments, data and views on the preamble and proposed rule or ordinance.

C. A person may request in writing to a control officer, within thirty days after the posted notice, an oral proceeding to provide verbal comments on the notice of proposed rule or ordinance making.

D. If a control officer receives a request pursuant to subsection C of this section, the control officer shall schedule an oral proceeding on the proposed rule or ordinance. A control officer shall prepare a notice of oral proceeding and shall allow for at least thirty days between the date of posting the notice on the county's website and the date of the proceeding. A notice for an oral proceeding may be posted concurrently with a notice inviting comment generally. A control officer shall determine a location and time for the oral proceeding that affords a reasonable opportunity to persons to participate. The oral proceeding shall be conducted in a manner that allows for adequate discussion of the substance and the form of the proposed rule or ordinance, and persons may ask questions regarding the proposed rule or ordinance and present oral argument, data and views on the proposed rule or ordinance.

E. A control officer, or a control officer's designee, shall preside over an oral proceeding on a proposed rule or ordinance. Oral proceedings shall be open to the public and minutes shall be recorded.

F. The board of supervisors may adopt rules or ordinances for the conduct of oral proceedings.