By Linda Dean Cooper

Commissioner Matt Brooks brought up live-streaming BoCC meetings in Tuesday’s regular meeting during commissioner reports and won support from Chair Desiree Mills.

Comm. John Meeks Say “Wait for New Clerk Before Live-Streaming”

Commissioner John Meeks mentioned in the recent Chiefland candidates’ forum while discussing transparency that he wanted to wait until the new Clerk of Court was in office before live-streaming BoCC meetings.  Meeks seemed to be under the impression that the YouTube videos were considered official records but that was never the intent.

Most boards use YouTube as a platform, most people are familiar with it, and it is free and not considered an official record.  The City of Williston has been recording their meetings for years on YouTube.

Brooks said that Public Information Officer Mary Ellen Harper has touched on this project in her quarterly report. PIO Harper stated her quarterly report is due at the end of business today, and has more info on live-streaming meetings.  She said, “The best practice that I’m finding for most of the places I’ve dealt with, is they’re archiving it through YouTube and it’s a free service that’s readily available.”

According to Harpers’ quarterly report she has been tasked with finding vendors that specialize in improving the acoustics in public meeting rooms.  Includes meeting with vendors to identify the potential scope of work and estimate costs related to improving the acoustics in the BoCC meeting room.

Action & Live-Steaming Details Due Next Meeting Per Chair Mills

Chair Mills instructed PIO Harper to be placed on the next agenda and give a presentation to move forward with the live streaming of meetings.

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Posted July 18, 2024