Branson Board of Aldermen consider strict new rules for public comment

The Branson Board of Aldermen (Board) is currently considering a major change to its public meeting procedures that allows the public to comment during its meetings. Although on the agenda for its May 26 meeting, the Board postponed taking any action on it until its June 9, 2026 meeting.

Initiated by Alderman Cooper and Alderman Schulz, this code amendment completely rewrites the criteria for addressing the city’s elected leaders. Under this proposed plan, only a specific group of people, known as “eligible commenters,” will have the guaranteed right to address the Mayor and the Board during meetings, and then only after taking an oath.

According to the proposed ordinance, a person qualifies if they fall into one of three specific categories:

1.     They are a resident of either Taney County or Stone County.

2.     They are a representative of a business or real property located within the Branson city limits.

3.     They are a person employed within the city limits of Branson, Missouri.

For individuals claiming eligibility based on employment in Branson, the ordinance establishes a very strict, detailed set of criteria. To be considered an eligible employee, a person must perform a minimum of 20 hours of work per week physically located within the city of Branson and have been continuously employed as such for at least 30 days before the date they wish to speak and receive regular compensation, subject to state and federal payroll reporting, such as wages reported on a W-2 form or equivalent documentation. Upon request, they must provide verifiable documentation of their employment, including recent pay stubs, an employer certification, or tax records.

The ordinance excludes independent contractors or consultants whose work is not primarily performed within the city limits, individuals whose employment is temporary, incidental, or arranged primarily to qualify to speak. Individuals working exclusively remotely from a location outside the city limits cannot qualify, regardless of their employer’s business address. The ordinance also excludes self-employment or business ownership that does not involve regular, physical business operations within Branson's city limits.

There are basically two opportunities for eligible commenters to comment or speak during the meeting. The first is to comment on items not on the Regular Agenda for the meeting during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. The second is to speak during the discussion of a Regular Agenda item when it comes up for consideration.

Eligible commenters must limit the comments made during the Public Comment portion to city business that the Board has the jurisdiction or authority to take action on. They may not speak about any topic related to a published Regular Agenda item. They must personally sign up before the meeting to speak during the Public Comment portion. If an eligible commenter wants to talk about an item on the Regular Agenda for the meeting, there is no requirement to sign in before the meeting. They must wait until the item comes before the Board later in the meeting to speak.

Whether an eligible commenter is speaking during the Public Comment period or on a Regular Agenda item, they must take a formal oath before they begin. They must, if able, raise their right hand and solemnly affirm that they are an eligible commenter under the Code and that the comments they are about to make are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.

The ordinance contains time limits for speakers. During the Public Comments period, speakers have a maximum of five minutes to speak. They may speak only once per Public Comment period. However, in any meeting where 10 or more eligible commenters sign up to speak, the allotted time is automatically reduced to three minutes per person.

During discussion of Regular Agenda items, there is no requirement for eligible commenters to sign up before speaking, and there is no automatic five-minute rule. Instead, the Mayor, presiding officer, can limit comments if they become repetitive, or set a time limit, and any alderman can request the same. The presiding officer has the discretion to allow a non-eligible person to speak on an item. However, that individual must still take the oath affirming the veracity of their comments and follow the same time limits as eligible commenters.

This new ordinance will come before the Board for initial consideration at its June 9, 2026, meeting.