MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners approved a plan Tuesday that will soon allow for the livestreaming of their meetings on the internet.
The three commissioners voted unanimously to purchase equipment, including microphones, a 70-inch monitor and more technology that will allow for livestreaming of their bi-weekly meetings.
The estimated $3,000 will come from the county’s $170,000 remaining CARES Act relief funds, which must be used by Dec. 30.
“We will be coming to a computer screen you in the near future,” Commissioner Marilyn John said.
Commissioner Tony Vero said it’s clear from the COVID-19 spread that the need for remote access to public sessions will continue for some time.
“Vaccines will take some time. My gut tells me it will be April or May for things to at least start to get back to normal,” Vero said. “(The need for remote) meetings are still going to be here for months.
“This is a modern world. A lot of people livestream their meetings. In the short-term it’s necessary and in the long-term, it’s the right thing to do.”
Once equipment is purchased and in place, commissioners said their meetings will be offered via Zoom and also livestreamed on the county website and social media sites.
The process will require reconfiguring the commissioners’ meeting room, including a table that is 16 feet long and five feet wide. The new monitor will be mounted on the wall for display of documents and more, commissioners said.
“It’s going to be a more remote world going forward, even after the vaccines,” John said. “People are going to be very cautious going forward.”
