WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Permanently returning to in-person board meetings spurred a lengthy discussion during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners executive committee meeting.
The board plans to meet in person Tuesday next week for the first time since last fall.
In order to maintain the option of meeting electronically, however, commissioners must approve a state of emergency resolution. Such a measure gives public bodies the option of continuing to meet over platforms such as Zoom.
Commissioners had a lengthy discussion and most agreed they would like to make the return to in-person meetings a standing format. However, they acknowledged not everyone feels comfortable enough yet to attend an in-person meeting and would prefer another option.
Commissioner Ken Malone said a hybrid format appears to be the best solution. Fellow commissioner Jared Hoffmaster said he didn’t see the harm in approving the emergency order, allowing commissioners to meet in person, yet still broadcast meetings electronically.
Board chairman Dennis Allen agreed. Without the county declaring a state of emergency, he said, everyone has to go back to in-person meetings.
Commissioner Kathy Pangle said she serves on about 10 committees and several members of those various committees have indicated they are not yet comfortable meeting on an in-person basis.
Commissioners will address the issue during their upcoming board meeting. It will take place at 5 p.m. in the third-floor commissioners’ room at the county courthouse.
