County meetings may be more accessible
Staff writer
Members of the public may soon be able to attend county commission meetings in person, although only a limited number will be allowed inside the meeting room.
Commissioners on Tuesday discussed arranging chairs in the hallway for people to observe weekly meetings. That way they could come to a lectern by the doorway to talk to commissioners.
Commissioner Dianne Novak said she thought the public should be able to attend meetings in person.
“The public feels the same way,” Novak said. “I think we need to find a different place, whether it is the city building or the lake hall.”
Novak said also she thought electronic equipment used to livestream the meetings online did not need to be in the room.
Commission chairman Jonah Gehring said he had no objection to changing the way meetings were done, but didn’t want to get rid of equipment used for online streaming.
Commissioner Kent Becker said the state would allow 15 people in the meeting room. He asked what the commission would do if more than 15 people showed up.
County clerk Tina Spencer said people in the hall would have to maintain social distancing
“I’m thinking we need to provide for those who want to be here and don’t have access,” Novak said. “It’s just a matter of accommodating people in any way you can.”
Commissioner David Crofoot and Spencer said that even with people in the hall, the county would still need to have a screen in the hall so those observing the meeting would be able to see and hear.
No vote was taken, but Spencer said the county would try to have some space set up in the hallway for in-person attendance.
In other business, commissioners:
- Approved a $13,753.50 bid from U.S. Imaging, Inc. to digitize records in the Register of Deeds office.
- Accepted a three-year lease purchase bid of $17,309 from Marion National Bank to purchase a tractor and mower for Road and Bridge Department.