Credit: County of Bucks
Bucks County plans to continue broadcasting commissioners meetings and is making an investment in improving that technology.
The commissioners began video streaming of their meetings via Facebook when strict pandemic mitigation measures began to take effect earlier this year. However, Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia had previously mentioned video streaming of public meetings was something she wanted the county to implement.
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Previously, the county posted audio recordings of meeting. Also, the previous county administration conducted commissioners meetings around the area which would have made broadcasting them with video harder.
The commissioners on Wednesday unanimously voted to hire Lerro Corporation of Norristown for purchase and installation of audio and video equipment. The contract would be not to exceed $132,341.69.
Bucks County Director of Policy and Projects Eric Nagy explained that the “fairly effective” system being used to livestream meetings right now was cobbled together. He thanked the staff who have been making the system work, especially on short notice.
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The new system, Nagy explained, will include five cameras that operators can switch between shots to make the quality better and improve accessibility for residents. The goal is for the county to stream meetings on their website, Facebook, and YouTube.
“This is a really good thing for transparency and accessibility,” Nagy said.
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The county has touted high viewership for some county meetings and press conferences. Many of those streams included important COVID-19-related information.
Nagy said those numbers show that the public is interested.
Ellis-Marseglia said the new technology will only enhance the public’s ability to take part.
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“Saying it’s long overdue is kind of an understatement,” said Commissioners Vice Chairperson Bob Harvie.
In Falls Township, where Harvie served was a supervisor for years, the commissioner said that town’s meetings have been broadcast to the public for years.
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The new video equipment the county is purchasing will be paid for through the $109 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money that was granted. The county said the reason the CARES Act funds were used is because broadcasting the meetings was pushed forward by COVID-19 and related restrictions.
The Bucks County Transition Report suggested broadcasting public meetings.
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