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Parkersburg Today
By the People, for the People
Parkersburg City Council Reinstates Open Public Forum
Residents can now address the council on any topic during regular meetings.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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The Parkersburg City Council has reinstated an open public forum, allowing residents to address the council on any topic during regular meetings. Council President Andrew Borkowski said public demand and advocacy from several council members drove the change, which represents a return to open comment after a period of allowing comment only on agenda items.
Why it matters
The reinstated open public forum is intended to increase public engagement and give residents a direct avenue to share ideas, feedback, and criticism aimed at improving the city, though the council will have the ability to respond to comments and direct residents to follow up separately.
The details
Under the new format, the public forum will be held after the meeting is called to order and will run up to 30 minutes, with each speaker allotted three minutes. The council may vote to suspend rules or extend the time limit. The only restriction noted prohibits speakers from using the forum to promote a political campaign.
- The Parkersburg City Council reinstated the open public forum format on February 25, 2026.
The players
Andrew Borkowski
The president of the Parkersburg City Council who said the change was driven by public demand and advocacy from several council members.
What they’re saying
“Over the course of the year, the public has been asking for it. And we've had several on council that have been advocating for it.”
— Andrew Borkowski, Parkersburg City Council President (WTAP)
What’s next
The council will hold the first open public forum under the new format during its next regular meeting.
The takeaway
The reinstated open public forum in Parkersburg represents a return to allowing direct resident engagement with the city council, which officials hope will lead to increased public input and ideas to improve the community.
