Item 11 on the draft agenda for the June 8, 2026 Leon County Commissioners Court meeting proposes adopting new rules of decorum for court meetings and a new public comment form.

This item is currently a draft and is subject to change before the meeting. The two documents are being shared here so residents can read them in full and weigh in before any vote.

What these documents are

Two PDFs are attached to the proposal:

  • A proposed set of Commissioners Court Rules of Decorum
  • A proposed Public Comment form that members of the public would fill out to address the Court

These describe how the public would participate in Commissioners Court meetings — when you can speak, for how long, what is and isn’t allowed in the room, and what you must submit beforehand.

A note on the source

The proposed rules of decorum are modeled on Tarrant County’s published Rules of Decorum. The document still carries Tarrant County branding and Tarrant County website addresses, and references the Tarrant County Sheriff, the Tarrant County Administrator’s Office, and the Tarrant County Civil Service Commission throughout. In other words, it is a Tarrant County document being put forward as a template for Leon County, and the specifics would presumably be adapted to Leon County if adopted.

What the Rules of Decorum cover

In neutral summary, the proposed rules would:

  • Provide two public comment periods at regular meetings — one for proclamations, resolutions, and presentations, and a second before the Court considers remaining agenda items.
  • Set a speaking time limit of up to three (3) minutes per speaker, reduced to two (2) minutes if 30–49 speakers sign up and one (1) minute if 50 or more sign up. Speakers using a translator get twice the time.
  • Require members of the public to speak only from the podium, after being recognized by the County Judge or presiding officer.
  • List prohibited behavior, including personal attacks, profane or slanderous remarks, threatening or disruptive conduct, and audience reactions such as clapping, cheering, or jeering (with orderly clapping allowed during the proclamations/presentations section).
  • Lay out sanctions for failing to comply, ranging from removal from the meeting to a finding of contempt under Texas Local Government Code §81.023.
  • Give the bailiff authority to issue criminal trespass warnings barring entry to the meeting for a period proportionate to the disruption.
  • Address courtroom capacity (with an overflow room and online streaming) and requests for accommodations for people with disabilities.

What the Public Comment form requires

The proposed Leon County Public Comment form asks each speaker to provide their name, whether they represent a group or organization, and to select whether they wish to address a specific agenda item or a subject not on the agenda. It must be signed and dated.

Per the form, it must be given to the Leon County Clerk in person on or before the day of Commissioners Court — and failure to submit it could result in the Court not recognizing the speaker or allowing them to speak.

Things to be aware of

A few provisions in the draft are worth reading closely, since they would shape public participation:

  • Sign and placard size would be limited to 8½ by 11 inches; larger signs, banners, flags, props, or anything attached to a pole or stick would not be allowed (words or symbols on clothing are exempted).
  • Audience reactions such as clapping, cheering, foot-stomping, or verbal approval/disapproval would generally be prohibited outside the proclamations and presentations section.
  • The bailiff could issue criminal trespass warnings of up to 180 days per incident, barring a person from the meeting room, subject to appeal.
  • Submitting the written public comment form would become a prerequisite to speaking, due to the Clerk on or before the day of court.
  • Speaker order and time adjustments would be at the discretion of the County Judge.

Read the documents

For transparency, both proposed documents are available below.

Again, this is a draft agenda item subject to change. Residents who have questions or concerns about how these rules would affect public participation can review the full documents above and share their input with the Court before the June 8 meeting.