The Smith County Commissioners Court announced today that it will change the regularly scheduled weekly meeting time at the beginning of the new year to better accommodate the citizens of Smith County. Starting January 1, 2010, the Smith County Commissioners Court will hold its weekly meetings at 9:30 a.m., every Tuesday morning.

The Court currently holds regular meetings at 9 a.m. every Monday.

The change is intended to make public meetings more convenient for citizens to attend and  to give the court extra time to receive public feedback, gather research and prepare before issues are discussed and decided in court said County Judge Joel Baker.

“We want to be as available to the public as possible, and we have heard several people say from a business stand point, it is difficult to get away from work first thing on a Monday morning,” Judge Baker said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Warr said he has heard numerous requests from citizens to move the meetings to a different day.

“We want to make sure the public has time review the agenda, and we have adequate time to receive their thoughts and concerns. It is beneficial for everyone to have a little working time when they come back from the weekend,” Commissioner Jeff Warr said.

Commissioners Court meets on the first floor of the Smith County Courthouse Annex at 200 E. Ferguson, Tyler, Texas 75702.

For those who cannot attend Commissioner’s Court meetings in person, online videos of all regular meetings are now available. Court agendas and videos are online at Smith-County.com under the “Commissioners” menu.