Committee to Study Public Comment Before Smith County Commissioners’ Court

TYLER – A committee has been named to study the public comment policy of the Smith County Commissioner’s Court. At Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners approved a motion by County Judge Joel Baker to name a panel to research what other counties are doing, as far as public comment and rules of decorum. The court’s public comment policy has come under criticism. Some say it limits the public’s access to the court. The current policy provides for 30 minutes for public discussion. Each person gets three minutes to speak and the topic must pertain to agenda items. The committee will report back in 30 days with recommendations for any changes. The action follows a standing room only meeting last week in which some commissioners and residents called for the resignation of Judge Baker.

The committee will consist of county employees and a community citizen. The Commissioners Court voted to approve the following committee members:
County Administrator Leonardo Brown,
Assistant District Attorney Phillip Smith
Public Information Officer Casey Murphy
County Auditor Ann Wilson or her designee
Record Services Director Joseph Settanni,
Purchasing Director Kim Gould,
Carmen Gardner, executive assistant to County Judge Joel Baker
Richard Blake (citizen member).