Date:
October 6, 2026 12
To: Board of Supervisors
Title
Improve Fairness, Civility, Accessibility, and Efficiency at Board Meetings: Amending Rules for Public Participation (Districts: All)
End
Overview
To enhance the fairness, civility, accessibility, and efficiency of County meetings, I propose a series of amendments to the Board of Supervisors’ Rules of Procedure. These recommendations focus on restructuring meeting schedules, streamlining the order of business, and clarifying procedures for Tuesday and Wednesday sessions. The significant changes would place all Consent Agenda items on Tuesday, schedule Closed Session for time certain, and place Land Use Discussion Items for Wednesday at 1 p.m., thereby enhancing participation.
The proposed reforms also address civility and disruptive conduct by establishing additional standards and sanctions for individuals who repeatedly violate the Board’s Rules of Procedure. Recent meeting data indicate that a small number of frequent speakers account for a vastly disproportionate share of public comment time, limiting opportunities for broader community participation. To promote more equitable access, the revisions would allow individuals to speak on no more than three discussion items per meeting. Additional procedural changes would combine public comment for Closed Session with Non-Agenda Public Comment and provide the Chairperson with greater flexibility to manage disruptions.
Overall, these proposed amendments are intended to promote a more inclusive, productive, and respectful environment for conducting County business while preserving the public’s right to engage with the Board and have their voices heard on County matters. If adopted, the revisions to the Rules of Procedure will take effect at the next Board meeting.
Body
Recommendation by Chair Terra Lawson-Remer:
Adopt the proposed resolution entitled RESOLUTION AMENDING MEETING MANAGEMENT RULES IN THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE SAN DIEGO CO...
Click here for full text