Council shortens deadline to post meeting video to five business days after debate and amendment

Greenville County Council on second reading amended an ordinance requiring the county to publish video of council and standing committee meetings within five business days, trimming a previous 30-day window and adding the word "business" to the deadline.

Councilor Jimmy Farmer moved the amendment to incorporate red-line changes previously circulated to council; a separate amendment from Councilor Saineman added the word "business" to the five-day deadline. Debate focused on operational feasibility, public expectations for timely access and rare extenuating circumstances such as severe storms that could delay posting.

Staff technology lead Ted Mihalik told the council that audio recordings are typically available within 24 to 48 hours and that the video is normally processed and posted sooner than 5 business days; he said 24–48 hours is common depending on meeting length and processing time, and that 5 business days should be ample time. Council members argued for a short deadline to keep public records timely and to hold bureaucracy to a standard; others urged a slightly longer window for rare disruptions. Dr. Fank proposed 10 days as compromise, but the council adopted five business days.

The council also clarified that emergent events (for example, prolonged power outages) could be considered extenuating circumstances; the adopted amendment uses the phrase "business days" to reflect processing realities. The motion to amend the ordinance as amended passed by voice vote; the ordinance was approved on second reading and will move on to final adoption processes as required by county rules.

Ending: The change shortens the lawful maximum time for posting meeting video and signals council’s direction for more timely public access; staff confirmed existing practice already frequently meets the new five-business-day requirement.