How to speak at Seguin City Council or Guadalupe County Commissioners Court

Seguin’s row describes a dated agenda. Check the next posted agenda for its instructions.

At Commissioners Court

The county’s adopted rules say a member of the public who wants to address the court must sign in before the regular session convenes. After signing in, wait until the presiding officer recognizes you. Speak from the podium; the stated maximum is five minutes per speaker. The rules say the county judge or another designated representative keeps time.

The county rules also say regular, special and emergency meetings are open to the public, while executive sessions are closed. For a regular meeting, plan to arrive before the session begins so you can complete the sign-in step the rules require. The court may change speaking time by a majority vote in a matter of exceptional interest, so the five-minute figure is its stated limit rather than a promise of exactly five minutes at every meeting.

At Seguin City Council

Seguin’s Oct. 20 agenda placed “Hearing of Residents” before regular business and described it as an opportunity for subjects other than items on that agenda. It limited remarks to five minutes and asked speakers to state their name and address for the record. It also explained that discussion of matters not on the agenda is limited under the Open Meetings Act. Those are the instructions in that dated agenda; use the next agenda to prepare for the next meeting.

Before you go

Choose the body you want to address, then read that meeting’s posted agenda. For the county, keep the adopted speaking procedure alongside it so you know the sign-in and recognition steps. For Seguin, look for the public speaking language on the specific council agenda you will attend. That agenda is the next document to check for the meeting place, time and current instructions.