Public Participation Policy

The Chouteau County Library Board of Trustees welcomes the public to their regularly scheduled meetings. In order to transact Board Business in a timely and orderly manner, anyone wishing to address the Board about an agenda item will notify the Director at least 48 hours before the meeting so time may be reserved for public input.

Everyone wishing to speak must fill out a form to allow for identification of those speaking, accurate spelling of names, and the naming of the agenda item they wish to comment on for inclusion in official minutes of the meeting. The form is available from the Director.

Since time is limited, the Board chair reserves the right to set reasonable time limits for public input on each topic. A person will be limited to 5 minutes per agenda item, with a total of a 15 minute limit for collective input on a specific topic. Only a formal motion can allow for going beyond the above named time limits.

The Board will listen but will not respond to public input during the meeting. They reserve the right to deliberate the issue, seek more information, and/or seek a recommendation from the Director before issuing a response.

During the Chouteau County Library Board meeting, unless already on the agenda, the public is asked not to make comments unless responding to a specific question to clarify issues asked by the Board chair.

Thank you for your interest in the library and the Board, and for your assistance in keeping the meetings orderly.

(Chapter 3 pages 4 & 5 from the Montana State Library Trustees Manual were used as a guide for the above policy - adopted 9/03)