Public Comment Policy
Policy Approval Date: July 20, 2026
 
The Colfax City Council welcomes and values public input during its meetings. This policy outlines the procedures for public comment to ensure that all individuals have a fair opportunity to be heard while maintaining an orderly and efficient meeting environment.

1. An opportunity for public comment will be provided at all regular meetings of the Colfax City Council.
2. To provide public comments, each individual must sign-in to provide public comment by providing:
   1. the individual’s name,
   2. the individual’s address.
3. Public comment may be provided on any topic pertaining to the City of Colfax.
4. Each individual will be allotted five minutes to make comments. The individual will be notified when the five minutes have expired.
5. Individuals will be called on to present public comments in the order of the names on the sign-in list.
6. All comments must:
   1. Be pertinent to the City of Colfax.
   2. Be directed to the Council as a whole.
7. Comments may not:
   1. Be defamatory, abusive, harassing, or unlawful.
   2. Include information that is exempt or confidential under North Dakota open records law.
   3. Interfere with the orderly conduct of the meeting.
8. Individuals may not yield their allotted time to another individual.
9. Individuals unable or unwilling to speak in person may submit written comments to the City Auditor prior to the meeting. If received twenty-four hours before the meeting, the comments will be distributed to the board members before the meeting. Comments submitted less than twenty-four hours before the meeting will be distributed after the meeting.
10. The Mayor, or in the Mayor's absence the presiding officer, shall have the authority to administer and enforce this Public Comment Policy, including enforcing time limits, determining whether comments comply with this Policy, maintaining order during the public comment period, and taking reasonable steps necessary to ensure the orderly conduct of the meeting.