§6710 Public Participation

Summary

Local governments that spend these payments must hold at least one public hearing on how the payment fits into their whole budget. People must be allowed to give written and spoken comments and ask questions. The hearing must be held at a time and place that helps people attend. The government should give senior citizens and senior groups a chance to speak before a final decision. By the 10th day before the hearing, the local government must make a statement of the proposed use and a summary of the proposed budget available at its main office and publish the proposed use, the summary, and the hearing time and place in at least one general‑circulation newspaper. Within 30 days after the budget is adopted, the government must make a summary of the adopted budget (including the payment use) available at its main office and publish a notice in at least one newspaper that the information can be inspected. The hearing rule can be waived if the state or local budget process already gives the same public opportunities and includes a hearing on the payment. The newspaper notices can be waived if publishing would be unreasonably costly compared to the amount allocated or would be impracticable. If the Secretary is satisfied the government will give adequate notice, the 10‑day rule may be changed to follow applicable state or local law.