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Subject: Request to Adjust Aggregate Speaking Time to Reflect Increased Individual Speaking Time

Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors,

I am writing to bring to your attention an oversight that has arisen following the recent change to the public speaking portion of our county board meetings. As you know, the board recently voted to increase the amount of time allotted to individual members of the public to speak from 3 minutes to 6 minutes. This change is commendable, as it demonstrates a commitment to fostering greater public participation and ensuring that community voices are heard. However, it appears that the corresponding adjustment to the aggregate speaking time for groups or individuals assigning a speaker to represent them has not been updated to reflect this change.

Previously, when individual speakers were allotted 3 minutes, the aggregate time for assigned speakers was set at 5 minutes. This allowed groups or individuals to consolidate their time and have a designated representative speak on their behalf. While this system worked well under the previous time limits, the current situation—where individual speakers now have 6 minutes, but the aggregate time remains at 5 minutes—creates an inconsistency that undermines the intent of the recent change.

Specifically, the current policy now allows an individual speaker to speak longer (6 minutes) than a designated representative speaking on behalf of multiple individuals or a group (5 minutes). This discrepancy is not only illogical but also potentially discourages collaborative efforts among community members who wish to share their perspectives collectively. It also creates an inequitable situation where individuals speaking on their own behalf are granted more time than those representing the views of others.

I respectfully urge the board to rectify this inconsistency by adjusting the aggregate speaking time to reflect the increased individual speaking time. A reasonable approach would be to double the aggregate time, just as the individual time was doubled, bringing it to 12 minutes. This would ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment with the boards goal of encouraging robust public participation.

Public input is a cornerstone of transparent and effective governance, and I applaud the boards decision to extend the individual speaking time. However, for this change to achieve its full potential, it is essential that the aggregate speaking time be updated accordingly. Doing so will ensure that all members of the public, whether speaking individually or collectively, are afforded an equitable opportunity to express their views.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that the board will take prompt action to address this oversight and uphold the principles of fairness and inclusivity that guide our countys decision-making processes. I would be happy to discuss this further or provide additional input if needed.

Sincerely,
-Steve Marshall, Patrick County Board of Supervisors Blue Ridge District. Serving all of Patrick County.

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