Polk County limits number of speakers for general public comment

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — New changes are coming to Polk County commission meetings.

Commissioners recently voted to limit the number of people who can speak during public comment for non-agenda items. The resolution passed unanimously on a consent agenda, without public input.

Being a voice for change has become Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina’s life’s work. The two first started the Polk County Bully Project in 2019 to help improve adoption rates for pit bulls. Since then, they’ve advocated for animal welfare across Polk County, often joining other groups to speak at county commission meetings.

“They tell us you’re wasting your time,” Lorio said. “’You need to talk to the sheriff. This has nothing to do with us.’ And when some stand up to speak about the animals, they’re looking down, they’re looking around. One gets up to leave the room.”

Lorio said it became even more clear when county commissioners moved general public comment to the end of meetings. Now, they’re limiting the number of speakers on non-agenda items to 15 people, which Medina believes is another attempt to censor the community.

“The community still needs their county commissioners to listen to what they have to say, whether or not they agree with it. They still need to listen,” Medina said.

Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the county several times about the change, but commissioners were unavailable for comment. While it may be controversial, Cooley Law School professor Jeffrey Swartz said that as of 2024, municipalities are allowed to limit the number of speakers at meetings.

“The problem with this statute is that it allows a commission to basically limit debate and limit dissent, depending upon who the first 15 people are that have signed up to speak to the commission,” Swartz said.

Swartz said residents have the option to challenge the Florida statute if they feel it denies them their First Amendment rights. As for Lorio and Medina, they’re unsure if that’s a route they’ll take. But they said what they know for sure is that they won’t be silent.

“Whether we’re number 15 walking in or 16, we deserve the right to have our voices heard,” Medina said.

Moving forward, people will be required to submit speaker cards and will be called in the order they are received. Anyone not heard will get the chance to speak at the next meeting.