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7 <br /> All work sessions are open to the public and the public is invited to attend and observe <br /> work sessions. Public comment is generally not permitted at work sessions for several <br /> reasons: (1) Work sessions are, by design, intended to be informal meetings to allow <br /> back and forth discussion between and among board members; (2) For the most part <br /> items presented at work sessions for board discussion, are items that are in the early <br /> stages of development, are items for which county staff need direction from the Board <br /> of Commissioners, or generally are not ready for formal presentation and decision; (3) <br /> Except in emergency circumstances final and binding votes on work session agenda <br /> items are not conducted at work sessions; and (4) Except as noted above all work <br /> session agenda items are brought forward for final and binding votes at Board <br /> business meetings at which public comment is sought and encouraged. <br /> Also, under Rule 9. Public Comments—Items Not on the Printed Agenda, the County Attorney has added <br /> the following: <br /> As noted above public comment is not accepted at work sessions but only at <br /> business meetings. North Carolina law requires local governments to schedule one <br /> public comment period at one regular meeting one time per month. Orange County <br /> far exceeds this mandate and schedules a public comment period at all of its <br /> business meetings during which the public may comment on any topic. Further the <br /> public is invited to comment separately on each item on a business meeting agenda. <br /> This is offered for approval by the BOCC. <br />