---

The majority of county commissioners have expressed little support for changing meetings to daytime sessions.

The idea was floated a few weeks ago by first term Chisago County Commissioner Jim Swenson, who is retired.  He also suggested the county look into what it would take to record meetings and post them in retrievable format  online.

On this inquiry, County Administrator Chase Burnham explained he couldn’t estimate expenses to do this without first knowing the quality of the video recording system. He asked what the Board wants;  a static boardroom shot with no camera movement and no capability to show exhibits or record citizens who speak, is  least costly. Equipment expenses go up from there.  

Currently County Board meetings are live streamed to be viewed on the county website but are not cataloged.

Commissioners spoke about the county insurance carrier’s advice to not record meetings and why the recommendation makes sense.

Ultimately the County Board was not supportive of bucking the experts’ advice to not record.

On the daytime start for meetings—Commissioner Marlys Dunne wasn’t in favor because the evening sessions are part of what convinced her to seek office.  She has a full-time career.  She did suggest that if county employees wish to be able to participate in meetings, as part of their regular hours,  the Board might look into an early start for one of the twice-monthly sessions.

Commissioner Dan Dahlberg also said working in a few earlier meetings in the year “to test the waters” could be an option, but he too works a day job.

Commissioner Rick Greene, a farmer, added the night meetings facilitate citizen participation and most taxpayers would have to take time off to appear at a daytime County Board meeting on a personal issue.

Chair Ben Montzka, an attorney, was also not in favor of daytime meetings, adding, “I don’t think that’s what our constituents want.”

 In an analysis presented a few weeks ago it was determined that evening meetings carry additional cost. The Board has had the chance to review presumptions behind this and nearly every commissioner disputed the findings. 

 Any staff who periodically do attend a Board session are allowed to take compensated hours off to balance the extra time put in, and it should be budget neutral. The other county staff who appear regularly are department heads or elected officers (sheriff, county attorney) and appearances should be considered part of the job description.

It was also pointed out there reportedly are county boards elsewhere who are in the process of switching to night meetings, or at least discussing the change. City councils, school boards and town boards all meet in evenings to promote transparency, as well.

---