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This past Monday, the Austin City Council held hearings for four street projects as well as an addition to a northwest Austin development.

Several people from the public attended these hearings as part of the council’s Monday night meeting and while they might not have been there for every project, it was encouraging to see people attend, ask questions and state their concerns.

Being able to be a part of this decision process is important because it further stakes the claim we citizens have in our community, county and school district as stakeholders.

Citizens are the ones paying the taxes and we are the ones that will ultimately benefit or be affected by the decisions these governing bodies make.

It’s far too easy to sit at home, read about the decisions made, and complaint or applaud these decisions only after the fact. Granted, it’s still possible to reach out to these representatives and let your feelings be noted — and absolutely it remains important — but viewpoints offered after a decision is made come too late.

When these public hearings are held, it is an opportunity for the public to be part of the decision process and while the decisions might not always reflect the views offered, those views are still key in decision-maker’s efforts to understand their constituents and the desires of the public.

Those who run for public office at whatever level are keenly aware that not all of their viewpoints and decisions will be positively received and even if it doesn’t go your way, it doesn’t account for future decisions where your viewpoints may be taken into consideration.

Sometimes the wheels are just too much in motion to be stopped, but that doesn’t mean that input should be halted.

Rational and timely discussion should be a part of every meeting like this and all three of these governmental bodies offer periods of public comment whether it’s for a topic or hearing at hand or if it simply is a concern you want to bring to their attention.

Instead of thinking, “they never listen to me,” Come to a meeting and ensure they listen to you. City, county and school board meetings are open to the public are always posted and readily available to view, whether in person or through an online medium.

Be a part of the discussion. Be a part of the solution.