Why can’t local government hold a meeting without having sound issues? As someone that keeps up with local government (but typically doesn’t physically go to meetings in person), I am very frustrated with the repeated issues with sound and technology at meetings. And I’m not the only one: over the last year I have heard multiple people at City and County meetings complain about the sound during public comment.
It’s next to impossible to hear what’s being said in the Beaufort City Council chambers, even when participants speak into a microphone. And don’t get me started on the room where City Council has their work sessions! Livestreams of meetings in City Council chambers are an exception – they are always easy to hear, understand, and visuals are always easy to see. It’s actually easier to understand what’s going on in the City Council meetings on the livestream than in person.
Beaufort County is even worse – If you try to watch any county meeting on livestream, be prepared to miss something important because a mic isn’t working or you can’t see the visuals that are being presented. Typically you’ll see a flurry of activity that looks like they are going to try and fix the issue, but whatever they’re doing isn’t working. And it doesn’t seem like anyone is monitoring the livestream to make sure the people online are hearing and seeing what’s going on. Argh!
You can go back and watch ANY County meeting or City work session to see and hear what I’m talking about – or NOT see and NOT hear.
Watch ANY Beaufort County School District meeting – there are never any sound or visual issues, both in the room and online. So why can’t the City Council and County Council follow suit?
County Broadcast Services has a budget of $953,664, the City of Beaufort’s IT department has a budget of $1,025,621 – both of these budgets have doubled (or close to it) over the last couple years. You’re telling me they can’t manage to have a meeting in person or livestream that people can actually understand and hear?
There are a lot of efforts around public transparency and engagement in both the City and County Councils (thank you!). PLEASE fix the sound so that those of us who are paying attention can understand what’s going on!
You are singing my song! How many years have I pointed out to City Council that the sound system is dreadful!??! I’m talking about YEARS! I’ve also told them the people come to the meetings to hear what’s going on with their government, but they soon stop attending because they can’t hear half of what is said. I first voiced the problem two city managers ago because there wasn’t even a connection for the mike at the podium the citizens were to use to address Council. That mike works today because a good citizen, Don Starkey, volunteered to fix it – and did! Yes, most people don’t realize that you have to get real close to the mike and speak directly into it, and you’re certainly not going to be heard if you’re turning your head from side to side. ALL of Council has heard me complain about it on numerous occasions, but I see citizens cupping their ear in an effort to hear and they go away complaining. They decide it isn’t worth attending! I’ve had my hearing aids for about two years now and still don’t hear most of the Council members (Josh Scallete is the exception). I’ve even suggested that they get lapel mikes so they can turn to speak to other members and the mike turns with them!…….Let me end by telling you of a funny incident several years ago, back when I attended meetings regularly. (I no longer do that for several reasons.) At a meeting one night, former mayor, Henry Chambers, came in and sat with me. After about 10 minutes of Council discussion on some matter, he turned to me and said in a large, loud voice: “I haven’t heard a DAMN WORD they said”………..Stay on it for the sake of the taxpayers, please. County is equally guilty and to learn of their huge budgets for this service and yet not to hear is unacceptable. Maybe it’s time to stop doing zoom meetings, encouraging folks to stay away and watch in the comfort of their pajamas??? Spoken by one who is terribly challenged by technology and wishes all of it would go away!