Public Participation for Board of Supervisors' Meetings

Public Comment

Public comment is the opportunity for members of the public to participate in meetings by addressing the Board of Supervisors in connection with one or more agenda or non-agenda items. Public comments by a member of the public at a single meeting are limited to a cumulative total of five minutes at such meeting unless the time allotment is increased or decreased by the Chair depending on the number of speakers. The public comment period during the opening part of the meeting to address non-agenda items is limited to 30 minutes total for all speakers; this 30-minute limit does not apply to items on the agenda.

To maintain a public meeting environment conducive and welcoming to receiving public comments from all members of the public, the audience is discouraged from engaging in displays of support or opposition to staff reports or public comments, including clapping, yelling, booing, hissing or cheering, that may create a disruptive environment for members of the public wishing to participate.  Any person who disrupts or impedes the orderly conduct of a meeting will be instructed to cease the disruptive conduct. Failure to do so may result in that person being removed from the meeting.

Members of the public who would like to augment their comments with visual or audio presentations using County equipment must submit their materials to the Clerk of the Board for review at least 24 hours before the meeting before use of County equipment will be allowed.  The review will be conducted to determine only whether the materials are on matters within the jurisdiction of the Board, would be disruptive of the meeting, or would foster illegality, such as identity theft.  If it is determined the materials are about matters not within the Board’s jurisdiction, or would be disruptive of the meeting, or would foster illegality, use of County equipment will not be allowed.

Public Participation

The Board offers various methods for public participation. Zoom registration is strongly encouraged for remote and in-person public comment participation options. To find out how you may provide public comment, please refer to the instructions below. Public comments may be provided using one of the following options:

E-Mail or Mail Written Public Comments:

If you wish to make a written comment on a specific agenda item by email or mail, please submit your comment by noon on the day prior to the meeting. Indicate in the Subject Line the Agenda item number (e.g., Item no. 9) on which you are commenting. Your email or written comment will be distributed to the Board of Supervisors and placed into the item’s record of the Board meeting. Public Comments submitted in writing are public records and subject to disclosure. An unredacted version is made available when records are requested by a Public Records Act Request. Please do not submit personal contact information that you do not want to be made public. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at  clerkoftheboard@ventura.org or mail to:

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

In-Person Public Comment:

If you would like to provide a verbal comment in person during the meeting, you may pre-register using the registration link provided at the bottom of this web page for the applicable meeting date. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. You will receive an automated email from Zoom which confirms your registration. You will not need the Zoom connection information provided in the confirmation Email since you will be participating in person. Upon arrival at the meeting location, check in with the Clerk of the Board staff. When your name is called for public comment, please proceed to the podium. If you do not wish to pre-register but would like to provide in-person comments at the meeting, you must check in with the Clerk of the Board staff prior to the agenda item being called.

Video Public Comment using Zoom:

Register using the registration link provided at the bottom of this web page for the applicable meeting date, if you would like to provide a verbal comment via video during the meeting. We encourage you to register in advance of the meeting to ensure that you receive the Zoom credentials prior to the item being heard. Registration opens when the final agenda is posted.

Requests to make live public comment on an agenda item will be accepted until the public comment period for each agenda item is complete. If you wish to make comments, you must be connected to the meeting via Zoom prior to the close of the public comment period.

The participation information is unique to you, please do not share as it may cause issues with your ability to join the meeting.

• When the final Board of Supervisors’ Meeting agenda is posted for viewing at ventura.org/bosmeetings, registration for public comment will open.
• Fill out the registration form and provide the agenda item number(s) you wish to comment on.
• Click the “Register” button to submit your request.

Please review the following instructions for how to connect during the meeting:

1. Follow the instructions from the Zoom E-Mail to join the meeting. Be sure to answer all on-screen prompts.
2. Press the Raise Hand button on zoom when the item you wish to speak on is being discussed.
3. Your microphone will remain muted and camera turned off until your name is called to make comments.
4. When your time to comment comes, Zoom will display an on-screen message indicating you are being prompting as a panelist. Accept the prompt.
5. You may now unmute yourself and turn on your video camera. Controls are typically in the bottom left corner of the zoom window.

All registrants will be called on and asked to make their comments. Do not register here if you are only wishing to observe the meeting. Observation of the meeting should be done from the live stream link found on ventura.org/bosmeetings

County staff is unable to provide technical assistance if you experience issues using your computer.

Call-in Public Comment Using Zoom:

Register using the registration link provided at the bottom of this web page for the applicable meeting date, if you would like to provide a verbal comment via telephone during the meeting. We encourage you to register in advance of the meeting to ensure that you receive the call-in credentials prior to the item being heard. Registration opens when the final agenda is posted.

Requests to make live public comment on an agenda item will be accepted until the public comment period for each agenda item is complete. If you wish to make comments, you must be called into the meeting prior to the close of the public comment period.

The participation information is unique to you, please do not share as it may cause issues with your ability to join the meeting.

• When the final Board of Supervisors’ Meeting agenda is posted for viewing at ventura.org/bosmeetings, registration for public comment will open.
• Fill out the registration form and provide the agenda item number(s) you wish to comment on.
• Click the “Register” button to submit your request.

Please review the following instructions for how to connect during the meeting.

1. Follow the instructions from the Zoom E-Mail to call-in to the meeting, call-in instructions are usually located near the end of the automated email.
   1. Dial 1 (669) 900-9128 or 1 (253) 215-8782 (Standard Phone Rates Apply), or Dial Toll-Free 1 (888) 788-0099 to reach Zoom.
   2. Enter the meeting ID as listed in the E-Mail you received, followed by #.
   3. Press # to skip the Participant ID when promoted, as you do not have a Participant ID.
   4. Enter the Meeting Password as listed in the E-Mail you received, followed by #.
   5. If the meeting has not started yet, you will not hear anything. Once the meeting starts, you should be able to hear the meeting but will remain muted.
2. When the item you wish to speak on is being discussed by the Board, press * then 9 to Raise your hand.
3. Your microphone will remain muted until your name is called to make comments.
4. When your time to comment comes, unmute by pressing * then 6 on your telephone keypad. You will hear “You are unmuted”, to inform you that your microphone has been enabled.
5. Once your time to speak has ended, you will hear the tone “You are muted”.

All registrants will be called on and asked to make their comments. Do not register here if you are only wishing to observe the meeting. Observation of the meeting should be done from the live stream link found on ventura.org/bosmeetings

County staff is unable to provide technical assistance if you experience any issues.