HELPING RESIDENTS access public meetings and give their input is a high priority for Bedford County officials. Transparency (the community knowing what government officials are doing and why) is an important concept in all public organizations. Citizens need to be part of the checks and balances of the system: giving input, knowing how tax dollars are being spent, what the government is planning for the future, and asking questions about priorities and the application of rules and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommunity engagement\u201d is related to how active the public is in governmental decision- making. Bedford County is made up of diverse groups of people, all with different interests, views, beliefs, and expectations. Being involved at a local level by attending meetings and making your voice heard by sending emails or attending town hall meetings is part of the benefit (and responsibility) of living in a democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Live streaming video of commissioner and committee meetings is one area that Bedford County is hoping to improve both transparency and community engagement. Attending a meeting in person may be the easiest way to speak to a committee member or commissioner before or after the meeting. Committee meetings are an opportunity for residents to request to make a statement or ask questions about issues on the agenda. The committees study and hash out issues before they are put before the full commission. Bedford County elected and appointed officials welcome you in person at all of the public meetings they hold. All votes happen in a public meeting forum so you can know how your elected officials vote and what their thoughts are about important topics and issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people have challenges getting to meetings in person. Live streaming video is a way for people to watch a meeting in real-time. The meetings are also recorded and available for watching on the Bedford County YouTube channel as well as on Facebook. The COVID pandemic made the need for live streaming meetings critical and the IT (Information Technology) department at Bedford County has risen to the challenge of finding improved live streaming technology to make your viewing experience better and more engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to IT Department Manager, Josh Carney, they will be investing in multiple cameras and better microphones so you can hear and see what is happening at the meeting. The IT team is very cost-conscious and has found software that is free to use that enables them to post the video on multiple social media platforms. If you can\u2019t make it to a meeting, watch the live stream or recording on Facebook or YouTube. Check the meeting schedule on the county\u2019s website and find video recordings on the Bedford County TN Government YouTube channel. Use technology to engage and help the government to stay transparent.\u00a0-GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HELPING RESIDENTS access public meetings and give their input is a high priority for Bedford County officials. Transparency (the community knowing what government officials are doing and why) is an important concept in all public organizations. Citizens need to be part of the checks and balances of the system: giving input, knowing how tax dollars […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":14690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n