During the Jan. 24 County Commission meeting, Jefferson County Planner LaDana Hintz expressed disappointment that commissioners considered removing Zoom links from agendas and having the technology available by request only. She referenced a proposed bill (now drafted as HB328) floating around in the legislature that’s “an act providing for increased transparency and accountability in government” and said now is the time to make access to meetings convenient for the public.
Commissioner Cory Kirsch said week after week he sets Zoom up but no one is on there, and he started thinking it wasn’t in his best interest to put the time into it.
“It doesn’t hurt to have it up there,” Hintz said. “If they don’t show up, they don’t show up, but we gave them the opportunity.”
A few days after the meeting, Commissioner Dan Hagerty told Hintz and his fellow commissioners that he would be happy to take on the roll of setting zoom up and keepign the option available to the public. Hagerty, who swore in as commissioner in January, ran on a campaign promise he’d emphasize transparency in communications, and by keeping the Zoom option available he’s to the public he’s staying intentional to his goal. Hagerty also said he hopes to have recordings of meetings readily accessible to the public.
