How to Testify
The Washington County Board of Commissioners welcomes public participation at its meetings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board remains committed to broad community engagement and transparency of government and will host virtual business meetings on Zoom.
To provide public testimony for a meeting via Zoom by phone or online,you must register using the form link here.
You can also register by phone or submit written testimony by calling 503-846-8685.
Submissions must be received 2 hours prior to the meeting time.
Following registration, you will receive an email with further instructions.
There are two categories of public testimony during Board meetings:
Testimony about Items on the Agenda
Anyone wishing to speak on an agenda item at a regular business meeting should feel free to do so. In doing so, the Board asks that the following guidelines be observed:
- Please follow registration procedures listed above.
-
When your name is announced, state your name for the record.
-
Groups or organizations wishing to make a presentation are asked to designate one spokesperson in the interest of time and to avoid repetition.
- When more than one person is heard on any matter, please avoid repetition in your comments. Careful attention to the previous speaker's remarks will be helpful in this regard.
Public Hearing Time Limits*
Two (2) minutes per individual and five (5) minutes for groups
Ordinance Testimony Time Limits
Public testimony for ordinances may be presented within the following time limits:
- First hearing - 3 minutes for individuals and 12 minutes for groups
- Additional hearings - 2 minutes for individuals and 5 minutes for groups
Oral Communication from the Public**
There are two opportunities for oral communication with the Board:
- First Opportunity: At the start of the meeting, before Board adoption of the consent agenda. This opportunity is time-limited to two (2) minutes per individual and a maximum of 10 minutes total.
- Second Opportunity: At the conclusion of all regular business. This second opportunity is time-limited to five (5) minutes per individual, twelve (12) minutes per group and a maximum of 30 minutes total. This period may include communications on agenda items for which no period for public testimony was provided.
* Notwithstanding the above, the Presiding Officer may limit the time and number of persons appearing in the interest of facilitating the orderly business of the Board, unless a majority of the Board rules otherwise.
