Brevard County urged to digitize public records for increased transparency

The Brevard County Commission Workshop held on March 3, 2025, focused on enhancing public access to government records. A key discussion point raised by a community member emphasized the need for the county to make public records available online at no cost. The speaker argued that this initiative would not only reduce the burden on county employees who handle record requests but also improve efficiency and transparency within the government.

The speaker highlighted that making records accessible online would decrease the number of requests made by the public, ultimately saving both time and money. They pointed out that the Clerk of Court already provides online access to their records, questioning why Brevard County could not implement a similar system.

Concerns were also raised regarding delays in obtaining records prior to meetings, which can lead to situations where decisions are made without public access to relevant information. The speaker's call for increased transparency and open government resonated with the overall theme of the workshop, which aimed to explore ways to improve public engagement and access to information.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate the feasibility of implementing online access to public records, with the goal of enhancing government efficiency and public trust.