The confusing world of Salt Lake County government is about to become more user-friendly.

Starting April 4, the public won't have to wait through hourslong meetings to comment on important county issues. Comments will be welcome at the beginning of the decisionmaking process.

The council voted Tuesday on the administrative changes to open up county government.

"This will make us even more accessible to the public," Councilwoman Jenny Wilson said. "This is something I've been talking about since the beginning of my campaign: The public comment period is on the tail end of things. People need a chance to make a difference."

However, residents will still have to deal with the inconvenient start time for the official County Council meeting, which is 4 p.m. every Tuesday.

Councilman Mark Crockett had pushed the idea of moving the meeting back an hour, to 5 p.m., so residents could have a better chance of sneaking out of work early to catch the majority of the meeting. But his proposal was shot down.

"I know many people who would like the council meeting to be held when they can attend," Crockett said. "It would make it easier for members of the public to give input."

Even so, the public will have more access to the administrative process at the county-government complex.

The changes mean that residents will be able to participate in open discussions with the council at subcommittee meetings, held on Tuesday mornings. The council hopes the meetings will be informal discussions where residents can voice their ideas and opinions.

Three members of the council will sit on the subgroups, which cover a wide range of topics: community services and economic development, human services, public works, law enforcement and courts, administrative services, elected officials and tax issues, capital improvements and construction projects, legislative issues, and internal council business.

The subcommittees will debate issues and report back to the council's committee of the whole, which includes all nine council members. The majority of all council debate goes on in this larger committee's meeting, which is open to the public, but comments are rarely taken.

During the official County Council meeting, debate is rare. The council, having discussed matters in the earlier committee meeting, often rubber-stamps ordinances and policies after a brief public comment period. Both Crockett and Wilson said they are looking at ways to make the official council meeting more substantive for the public. Creating the subcommittees is just the first step in that process, Crockett said.

Mayor Peter Corroon welcomed the changes, saying they will allow the council to get work done while keeping the public in tune with the process of government.

"Open government with citizen input — that's a good thing," Corroon said.

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