Every Wednesday at 10am, the County Commission convenes to make decisions that deeply impact our community. Unfortunately, this time is inconvenient for a large portion of the general public who are at work, leaving them without a voice in vital local matters. This lack of accessibility means that the opinions and concerns of many of our community members are not heard or taken into account.

Public participation is the backbone of democracy, and every citizen should have the opportunity to engage with elected officials about decisions that affect their lives. By holding meetings during standard working hours, our County Commission inadvertently excludes a significant portion of the community — namely, working professionals, parents, and students, who find it challenging to attend due to prior commitments.

This isn't just a matter of convenience. It's a matter of fairness and democratic representation. In many counties across the nation, local governments have found innovative ways to increase public participation by scheduling meetings at times when more citizens can attend. For example, early evening meetings or rotating schedules have proven effective in increasing attendance and public engagement.

We propose that our County Commission consider rescheduling their regular meetings to a time more accommodating to the general public. An evening slot or alternating meeting times would provide a more inclusive environment for civic engagement. When more residents can attend, we ensure that decisions reflect the diverse voices of our entire community, not just those available during traditional working hours.

According to a study conducted by the National Civic League, communities that increased accessibility to meetings saw a 50% rise in public participation, which improved the decision-making process and community satisfaction. These numbers are a testament to the positive impact of accessible and fair meeting scheduling.

Our ask is simple: let's change the timing of the County Commission meetings to allow more citizens the opportunity to participate and voice their perspectives. We need your support to bring this change to action. Sign this petition to urge our County Commission to reconsider their meeting times and make our local government more accessible to every member of our community.