Clerk of the Board announces new speaker management system

In an effort to increase participation in local government, the San Bernardino County Clerk of the Board of Supervisors has partnered with the Innovation and Technology Department to make it easier for citizens to request to speak during Board of Supervisors meetings.

Prior to implementing the new speaker management system, the process to complete a speaker card and address the board was completely manual, using cards filled out by hand. Now, members of the public who wish to speak on agenda items or share a general comment can type out an e-form in either English or Spanish using new kiosks located at the San Bernardino County Government Center and the Joshua Tree and High Desert government centers.

“Implementing this new system is a significant step forward in streamlining the Public Comment process and improving our services,” said Clerk of the Board Lynna Monell. “I would like to thank the Board of Supervisors for recommending this innovative initiative.”

Over the past several months, Monell and her staff worked closely with the county’s Innovation and Technology Department to develop a program that allows citizens to complete an e-form at the kiosks in front of the board chambers. Once the form is received, it’s automatically routed to the Clerk of the Board staff and the Board of Supervisors chair.

“We’re very pleased to collaborate with the Clerk of the Board’s office to make public speaking requests easier and more accessible to our citizens,” said Chief Information Officer Lynn Fyhrlund. “We look forward to continuing to find solutions that will allow us to meet the needs of our residents.”

The new speaker management system increases operational efficiency, saves time by routing the requests directly to staff and the board chair, contributes to environmental conservation by using less paper, and enhances public service.

For those who require assistance with the kiosks, Clerk of the Board staff is available 30 minutes prior to Board of Supervisors meetings. The kiosks are ADA-compliant, however, paper forms will still be available upon request.

The Clerk of the Board’s office is responsible for preparing board meeting agendas and maintaining historical records of board-approved items, including contracts, bids, ordinances and resolutions. The Clerk of the Board also oversees assessment appeals, acts as a liaison to the California Fish and Game Commission, and maintains the County Code online. Additionally, the Clerk of the Board manages the conflict-of-interest program for county filers and members of boards, commissions and committees. They also manage the board appointments process.

For more information about the Clerk of the Board’s office, please visit https://cob.sbcounty.gov/.

Additional County Update News – March 28, 2024