Board of Commissioners

The Town of Biltmore Forest operates in the Council-Manager form of government with a full time Town Manager. The Mayor and three Town Commissioners are elected at large every four years.

Town of Biltmore Forest 
Public Comment Policy and Rules of Decorum for Board Meetings

1. In-Person Public Comment Procedures

1. Registration and Eligibility to Speak

   1. Speakers may register for public comment in advance by contacting Town Hall prior to the meeting.
      1. Speakers may also appear in person and address the Board during the public comment portion of the agenda.
         1. All speakers must provide their name and physical address to the Board and contact information to the Town Clerk.
         2. Speakers must be recognized by the Mayor or other presiding officer before speaking.
         3. Each speaker may speak only once during the public comment period.

    

2. Time Limits and Group Representation

   1. Individual speakers are limited to three (3) minutes.
      1. Groups or delegations of three (3) or more are encouraged to select a spokesperson in advance.
         1. If three (3) or more members of a group are present and identified, the group’s spokesperson may be allotted up to ten (10) minutes.
         2. The spokesperson must identify the group they represent and the members present.

    

3. Speaker Conduct and Presentation Requirements
4. Speakers must use the microphone and podium provided.
5. Comments must be addressed to the Board of Commissioners as a body, not to individual Board members, the Mayor, staff, or other attendees.
6. Speakers should be civil and courteous in both language and presentation.
7. Personal attacks, threats, insults, profanity, vulgar language or gestures, or other inappropriate behavior are prohibited.
8. Speakers may not campaign for political office during their comments.

4.  Scope and Relevance of Comments
5. Comments should be limited to matters that are relative to, or within the Town’s jurisdiction or apparent jurisdiction.

6. During public hearings, comments must be limited to the subject matter of the hearing.

    

7. Written Materials
8. Speakers who have prepared remarks or supporting documents are encouraged to leave copies with the Town Clerk.
9. Written materials will be provided to the Board of Commissioners but will not be included in the official meeting minutes.

6. Audience Conduct and Decorum
7. Members of the audience must maintain order and decorum at all times.
8.  Comments, applause, questions, jeering, or other interruptions from the audience are not permitted.
9.  Speakers may not address or respond to members of the audience.

7.  Board of Commissioners Response to Public Comment
8.  Speakers should not expect direct comment or response from the Board during the meeting.
9.  The Mayor or presiding officer may request follow-up by the Town Manager or staff or provide additional information at a later time.

8. Enforcement and Suspension of Rules
9. The Mayor or other presiding officer has the authority to enforce these rules.
10.  The Mayor, presiding officer, or a majority of the Board may suspend the rules at their discretion.
11.  Failure to comply with these rules may result in forfeiture of remaining speaking time, removal from the meeting, and possible criminal charges.

9.  Applicable State Law
10. Speakers and audience members are advised of the following state law. 

11. N.C.G.S. § 143-318.17 – Disruptions of official meetings.

    A person who willfully interrupts, disturbs, or disrupts an official meeting and refuses to leave when directed by the presiding officer is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

2. Remote Public Comment Procedures

1. To accommodate those who are unable to attend in person or are not comfortable doing so, the Town Board of Commissioners will receive comments from those members using the remote Public Comment option as described below. 
2. Remote public comments may be sent to townhall@biltmoreforest.org beginning on the Friday before the meeting at 5pm (after the agenda is posted on the Town’s website) through the Monday before the meeting at 5pm. 
3. These emails will be provided in their entirety to all Commissioners and the Mayor prior to the meeting. Contact information from the commenter is required for all public comments.
4. Remote public comments will be posted and available for the public to review after the meeting takes place.

Board Members

Public Hearings

 No public hearings scheduled at this time.