LOCAL GOVT.
LOCAL GOVT.

Public comment rules for metro Atlanta’s cities and counties

Exactly how much time you’ll have to speak at city or county meetings varies widely.
Bob Ellis, vice chair of the Fulton County Commission, said he thinks the county’s vote on its tax rate was illegal. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM AJC FILE PHOTO
Bob Ellis, vice chair of the Fulton County Commission, said he thinks the county’s vote on its tax rate was illegal. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM AJC FILE PHOTO
By Arielle Kass and Mandi Albright
Dec 24, 2018

We’ve all been there: Your city council or county commission is taking up a hot issue and you’re ready to speak your mind to your elected officials. The meeting is packed; plenty of folks are geared up to have their say. But do you know the rules governing public comment for your particular city? Your county? You should. Let us help you prepare for that next important meeting so you’ll make the most of your time.

>> LEARN MORE: See the public commenting rules for City of Atlanta | Clayton | Cobb | DeKalb | Fulton | Gwinnett

About the Authors

Arielle Kass covers Gwinnett County for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She started at the paper in 2010, and has covered business and local government beats around metro Atlanta. Arielle is a graduate of Emory University.

Mandi Albright writes the AJC's Deja News feature and is an online presentation specialist with the AJC's Digital Presentation team.

More Stories

The Latest

Susan Monarez had only been CDC director for about two months when she was fired. She says it was a matter of politics, not science.

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

A.M. ATL: Booster meeting

A.M. ATL: Going courting

A.M. ATL: A new kind of hot

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Another winning weekend for Falcons, Georgia Tech?

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?