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Court Ruling Doesn’t Require Public Participation in Meetings
03/11/10 - 05:26 PM
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A ruling by the First District Court of Appeals in Pensacola falls in the favor of city governments and raises questions for some citizens in the panhandle.

The argument was whether or not the Community Maritime Park Associates in Pensacola violated the law by not allowing citizens to speak at a meeting.

The First District Court of Appeals out of Pensacola upheld part of the Florida Sunshine Law that doesn’t require city governments to allow the public speaking time at all meetings.  The court did rule, however, that city governments also must allow the public to have access to every meeting.

Those involved in city affairs say that it’s not necessary for public hearings and that sometimes city council or commission meetings can be dominated by public conversation and get in the way of the government’s ability to conduct business.

Paul Brent is a Panama City resident who’s been involved on both sides. He says that this part of the sunshine law can help mainstream meetings and save the public time and frustration “…I personally feel that citizen input is very important and most boards in this area, in governmental bodies, generally provide for that citizen input. I think we do a pretty good job here…”

The Florida Supreme Court ruled on this same law back in 1969.