INFORMATION HUB · Public comment
Every City Commission and board meeting in Enid includes time for you to be heard. Here's exactly how it works.
Public comment is one of the most direct ways to share your views with the people making decisions for our community. Whether you plan to speak in person or send your thoughts in writing, this page walks you through the process, the rules, and the reasons behind them.
Public comment at a glance
1 minute
Per speaker. Your time to share comments at any meeting.
2 minutes
Public hearings. When you speak on a public hearing item.
Day of
Sign-up opens. Sign-up closes when the meeting begins.
Noon
Written deadline. Submit by noon on meeting day to have it shared beforehand.
Public comment is offered at every City Commission meeting and every City board and commission meeting. Can't attend? Written comments are accepted any time.
How to sign up to speak
Sign-ups open the day of the meeting and close when the meeting starts. How you sign up depends on which body is meeting:
| Meeting |
In person |
Online |
| City Commission |
Yes |
Yes |
| Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) |
Yes |
Yes |
| All other City boards and commissions |
Yes |
Not yet available |
In person
Look for the sign-up sheet posted outside the meeting room. That's usually the Commission Chambers, but it will be outside whichever venue is hosting the meeting.
Online
Starting with the Oct. 6 City Commission meeting, you can also sign up online for City Commission and MAPC meetings at Enid.org/PublicComment, which is updated for each meeting.
Sign up online to speak
When it's your turn
You'll have 1 minute to share your comments. If you're speaking on a public hearing item, you'll have 2 minutes.
Time limits give everyone who signs up a fair chance to be heard, and they help meetings move forward on the business residents are waiting on.
Submitting a written comment
Can't make it to the meeting, or prefer to put your thoughts in writing? Written comments are welcome any time. If you'd like your comment shared with City officials before a specific meeting, submit it by noon on the day of that meeting.
In person
Drop it off at the Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Complex (City Hall), 401 W. Owen K. Garriott Road, Enid, OK 73701, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please include
The name and date of the meeting, and the agenda item or items your comment is about. This helps us get your comment to the right officials for the right discussion.
Email a written comment
Why officials usually don't respond during public comment
You're welcome to speak on any topic during public comment, whether or not it's on the agenda. What Commissioners and board members can do in response is set by state law.
Under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, the agenda for a regular meeting must be posted at least 24 hours in advance, not counting weekends and state holidays. That way, the whole community knows ahead of time what will be discussed. Officials can discuss and act on the items listed on that agenda. The law makes only a narrow exception for urgent matters that couldn't have been foreseen when the agenda was posted.
So when a speaker raises a topic that isn't on the agenda, officials can listen, but they can't debate it or make a decision at that meeting. For that to happen, the topic would need to appear on the posted agenda of a future meeting. Their silence isn't a sign they aren't listening. It's how the law keeps every discussion open and announced in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Does state law require cities to offer public comment?
No. The Oklahoma Open Meeting Act requires public bodies to meet in public, post agendas in advance, and follow specific rules for how decisions are made. It does not require a public comment period. The City of Enid offers public comment at every City Commission and board meeting because hearing directly from residents leads to better decisions.
Can I comment on something that isn't on the agenda?
Yes. You can speak on any topic during public comment. Commissioners and board members can only respond to or act on items that are on the posted agenda, so they may listen without replying to comments on other topics.
When is the agenda final?
Agendas can change until they're posted. State law requires the agenda for a regular meeting to be posted at least 24 hours in advance, not counting weekends and state holidays. Check the posted agenda before the meeting to see which items will be discussed.
Does every board offer online sign-up?
Not yet. Online sign-up is currently available for City Commission and MAPC meetings. Public comment is still open at every other City board and commission meeting. Just use the in-person sign-up sheet.
Can I sign up before the day of the meeting?
Sign-ups open the day of the meeting, both in person and online. If you'd like your thoughts shared ahead of time, a written comment submitted by noon on meeting day is the best option.
Last updated: Oct. 16, 2026