CIO Glenn Markey outlines Orange County's livestream backup solutions for meetings

The Orange County Personnel and Compensation Committee convened on April 14, 2025, to discuss key improvements in their meeting technology, particularly focusing on enhancing livestream services. IT Commissioner Glenn Markey introduced a new backup system designed to ensure reliable streaming of meetings, addressing past issues where livestreams failed without a backup.

Markey explained that the new system will utilize Facebook Live as a secondary option, which will only be activated if the primary livestream fails. This redundancy aims to provide greater resilience during meetings, ensuring that constituents can access discussions without interruption. The primary livestream will continue to be stored on YouTube for future viewing.

During the meeting, Markey also addressed concerns regarding the placement of the backup camera, which is currently positioned to capture the meeting screen but may inadvertently pick up background chatter. He welcomed suggestions for better camera placement to improve audio quality.

This initiative reflects the committee's commitment to improving transparency and accessibility for the public, ensuring that all community members can stay informed about local governance. As the committee moves forward, the implementation of this backup system is expected to enhance the overall experience of attending meetings, whether in person or online.