Submitting Anonymous Comments to the County

One item that came up at a recent BVCA board meeting was regarding potential hesitation on the part of some residents to comment publicly on cannabis permits for fear of retaliation. We looked into ways we can encourage comments that meet the county requirements while allowing residents to feel safe submitting them. 

These are some good guidelines. The headline here is that in lieu of posting a comment publicly - any resident can directly email Permit Sonoma or any other county Supervisor or member with their direct comment - and ask that their name be withheld from the public comment. This ensures every voice is heard by the county - but balances personal comfort with speaking up. 

 There are a few key points regarding public comment submission in Sonoma County, particularly for residents who may be concerned about using their real names:

• In-person comments are still allowed and encouraged. The Santa Rosa City Council, for example, has limited public comments to in-person only or written submissions in advance of meetings, in response to recent incidents of hateful online comments.

• Written comments can be submitted ahead of meetings. This allows residents to provide input without having to attend in person or identify themselves verbally during a meeting.

• For the Sonoma County Planning Agency, public comments can be submitted via email to PlanningAgency@sonoma-county.org. This email option may provide a degree of anonymity for those uncomfortable using their full names.

• The Board of Supervisors and other county bodies generally provide an opportunity for public comment on agenda items as well as issues not on the agenda during open meetings.

• While the search results don't explicitly address rules for anonymous comments, it's important to note that public meetings are subject to open meeting laws, which generally favor transparency.

For residents concerned about using their real names, the best options appear to be:

1. Submitting written comments in advance

2. Using the email submission option where available

3. Attending in person but potentially using only a first name or initials when speaking

It's worth noting that local governments must balance public participation with maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all attendees. The recent changes in Santa Rosa, for instance, were made in response to inappropriate and hateful comments made anonymously online.
If a resident has specific concerns about identifying themselves, they may want to contact the relevant county department or board directly to inquire about options for submitting comments more discreetly while still complying with public meeting requirements.