The following rules and procedures are to be adhered to at all County Board meetings:
A. The Chairperson shall preserve order and decide all questions of order without debate. The Chairperson may seek advice from the Board Parliamentarian before deciding the question.
B. Every member or guest prior to speaking shall address the Chairperson and then confine comments to the question under consideration.
C. When a question is put, every member shall vote thereon unless a possible conflict of interest is shown between the Board member and the matter presented for vote, or if excused by the Chairperson of the Board.
D. No motion shall be debated or put unless seconded. When seconded, the Chair shall state it before being debated.
E. A County Board member must attend two thirds (2/3) of the duration of the County Board meeting to be considered present for the purposes of collecting per diem.
F. After a motion is stated by the Chairperson or read by the Clerk, it shall be considered in possession of the Board, but may be withdrawn by the mover on consent of the seconder at any time previous to a decision or amendment thereon.
G. On most matters, the Chairperson shall have discretion to secure a voice vote. If the vote is all ayes, and no nays, the motion shall carry. If any nays are heard, a roll call vote shall be immediately taken and the result announced. On matters concerning actions concerning hiring or termination of employment and other matters where a record of the vote is deemed necessary, a roll call vote will be taken.
H. Any one member can demand a roll call vote on any question.
I. A motion for adjournment shall always be in order and shall be decided without debate, except that it cannot be made during the vote of another question or if a member is addressing the Board.
J. The seating arrangement of the Board shall not be changed because of changes in membership. Individual members may change their seats by mutual agreement.
K. All resolutions, proposals or ordinances will be referred to proper committees to study and report before the Board takes action.
L. Action by the Board on any question referred to committee shall be on the original resolution, proposal or ordinance regardless of the committee report as favorable, unfavorable or divided.
M. Budget amendments, ordinance changes, and fee increases shall be placed on file at a County Board meeting before being voted on at a subsequent County Board meeting.
N. A Board member may be appointed to act as the Board Parliamentarian.
O. A member declared to be out of order by the Chair shall immediately cease speaking. The decision of the Chair shall be final.
P. Public Comments: The Grundy County Board is pleased to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on issues of importance to the county. The public comment agenda item is always near the beginning of the meeting to provide the opportunity for opinions to be expressed before the Board acts upon issues. In order to provide time for all to be heard and for the Board to carry on its business the following guidelines are provided:
1. Persons who wish to comment should sign in prior to the meeting on the register sheet at the table just inside the door. Requested information includes name and address. If representing an organization, state the name of the organization.
2. Verbal comments should be limited to no more than five (5) minutes. Longer comments may be submitted in writing, twenty one (21) copies should be provided.
3. Comments should be in good taste and respectful of everyone.
4. Personal comments or attacks on individuals will not be tolerated.
5. When comments on a single issue become repetitive, the Chairperson may elect to close comments on that issue.
6. Public comments are intended as a means for citizens to convey their thoughts and ideas to the Board. Board members do not respond or debate issues raised, but may ask questions to clarify a speaker's position. Since much of the detail work of the Board occurs in committees, citizens are encouraged to attend committee meetings. Meeting schedules are posted in the committee room, at the reception desk in the Administration Building, and in the County Clerk's office in the Courthouse.