Douglas County commissioners want the public to have a chance to speak out on the county’s tornado siren activation policy.

Emergency Management director Teri Smith has requested time to discuss the policy with commissioners during their Monday morning meeting. Commissioners, however, said they also favor having a public discussion on a Wednesday night before any changes are made to the policy.

The policy has been criticized by some who think the sirens should have been sounded during a storm early Friday morning. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Douglas County, but the sirens were not activated because of a policy that requires a local determination of a tornado threat.

Smith has said that the policy would be reviewed by the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

“At least give the public a chance to be heard and then make their recommendation,” Commissioner Charles Jones said, referring to the committee.

Commissioners Bob Johnson and Jere McElhaney agreed.

“What they should do is give us a heads-up on where they are as opposed to coming here and saying ‘this is what we recommend,'” Johnson said.

During Wednesday night’s meeting, Johnson and McElhaney approved the issuance of revenue bonds allowing Pima County, Ariz., to finance a company’s acquisition and improvements to Douglas County Christian radio station, KJTY. Federal law requires a vote by the local county government, even though the county isn’t involved in the financing.

Jones voted against Pima County, citing separation of church and state issues and liability concerns.