Polk County Commissioners voted to limit general public comment on non-agenda items to just 15 speakers per meeting. This change was passed unanimously on a consent agenda, without public discussion.
For years, residents have shown up to speak about issues affecting our community, including animal welfare and public safety. Polk County Bully Project, founded by Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina, has dedicated years to advocating for homeless animals and pulls roughly 70% of dogs from Polk County Animal Control each year.
Public comment is one of the only opportunities ordinary citizens have to speak directly to elected officials, on the record. Limiting the number of voices that can be heard, especially after public comment was already moved to the end of meetings, raises serious concerns about transparency, accessibility, and public trust.
This does not just affect animal advocates. It affects every Polk County resident.
Polk County residents deserve the ability to participate in their local government without barriers. Civic engagement should be encouraged, not restricted.
We encourage residents to stay informed, attend meetings, and remain engaged. The future of our community depends on public participation, transparency, and accountability.
“Commissioners recently voted to limit the number of people who can speak during public comment for non-agenda items. The resolution passed unanimously on a consent agenda, without public input.
Being a voice for change has become Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina’s life’s work. The two first started the Polk County Bully Project in 2019 to help improve adoption rates for pit bulls. Since then, they’ve advocated for animal welfare across Polk County, often joining other groups to speak at county commission meetings.
“They tell us you’re wasting your time,” Lorio said. “’You need to talk to the sheriff. This has nothing to do with us.’ And when some stand up to speak about the animals, they’re looking down, they’re looking around. One gets up to leave the room.”
Lorio said it became even clearer when county commissioners moved general public comment to the end of meetings. Now, they’re limiting the number of speakers on non-agenda items to 15 people, which Medina believes is another attempt to censor the community.
“The community still needs their county commissioners to listen to what they have to say, whether or not they agree with it. They still need to listen,” Medina said.
We reached out to the county several times about the change, but commissioners were unavailable for comment. While it may be controversial, Cooley Law School professor Jeffrey Swartz said that as of 2024, municipalities are allowed to limit the number of speakers at meetings.
“The problem with this statute is that it allows a commission to basically limit debate and limit dissent, depending upon who the first 15 people are that have signed up to speak to the commission,” Swartz said.
Swartz said residents have the option to challenge the Florida statute if they feel it denies them their First Amendment rights. As for Lorio and Medina, they’re unsure if that’s a route they’ll take. But they said what they know for sure is that they won’t be silent.
“Whether we’re number 15 walking in or 16, we deserve the right to have our voices heard,” Medina said.
Moving forward, people will be required to submit speaker cards and will be called in the order they are received. Anyone not heard will get the chance to speak at the next meeting.”
Polk County Commissioners voted to limit general public comment on non-agenda items to just 15 speakers per meeting
Polk County Commissioners voted to limit general public comment on non-agenda items to just 15 speakers per meeting. This change was passed unanimously on a consent agenda, without public discussion.
For years, residents have shown up to speak about issues affecting our community, including animal welfare and public safety. Polk County Bully Project, founded by Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina, has dedicated years to advocating for homeless animals and pulls roughly 70% of dogs from Polk County Animal Control each year.
Public comment is one of the only opportunities ordinary citizens have to speak directly to elected officials, on the record. Limiting the number of voices that can be heard, especially after public comment was already moved to the end of meetings, raises serious concerns about transparency, accessibility, and public trust.
This does not just affect animal advocates. It affects every Polk County resident.
Polk County residents deserve the ability to participate in their local government without barriers. Civic engagement should be encouraged, not restricted.
We encourage residents to stay informed, attend meetings, and remain engaged. The future of our community depends on public participation, transparency, and accountability.
“Commissioners recently voted to limit the number of people who can speak during public comment for non-agenda items. The resolution passed unanimously on a consent agenda, without public input.
Being a voice for change has become Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina’s life’s work. The two first started the Polk County Bully Project in 2019 to help improve adoption rates for pit bulls. Since then, they’ve advocated for animal welfare across Polk County, often joining other groups to speak at county commission meetings.
“They tell us you’re wasting your time,” Lorio said. “’You need to talk to the sheriff. This has nothing to do with us.’ And when some stand up to speak about the animals, they’re looking down, they’re looking around. One gets up to leave the room.”
Lorio said it became even clearer when county commissioners moved general public comment to the end of meetings. Now, they’re limiting the number of speakers on non-agenda items to 15 people, which Medina believes is another attempt to censor the community.
“The community still needs their county commissioners to listen to what they have to say, whether or not they agree with it. They still need to listen,” Medina said.
We reached out to the county several times about the change, but commissioners were unavailable for comment. While it may be controversial, Cooley Law School professor Jeffrey Swartz said that as of 2024, municipalities are allowed to limit the number of speakers at meetings.
“The problem with this statute is that it allows a commission to basically limit debate and limit dissent, depending upon who the first 15 people are that have signed up to speak to the commission,” Swartz said.
Swartz said residents have the option to challenge the Florida statute if they feel it denies them their First Amendment rights. As for Lorio and Medina, they’re unsure if that’s a route they’ll take. But they said what they know for sure is that they won’t be silent.
“Whether we’re number 15 walking in or 16, we deserve the right to have our voices heard,” Medina said.
Moving forward, people will be required to submit speaker cards and will be called in the order they are received. Anyone not heard will get the chance to speak at the next meeting.”