Board votes to pursue policy for new state law allowing remote participation; law effective April 9

The Williams County Board of Commissioners voted to begin drafting policies and an implementation plan to use remote meeting technology after the state law enabling remote participation takes effect on April 9.

A county prosecutor advised commissioners to use the period before the law’s effective date to compare existing practices and draft a policy for how the county will allow remote participation and public observation. The prosecutor said the legislation, which the governor signed earlier this year, will make remote participation legal and permit board members to participate and vote remotely under the new rules.

At the meeting a commissioner moved that the board "move forward" to develop the policy and to task staff with defining how Zoom and other remote tools would be used to permit public observation and remote participation. The motion passed on a roll call (recorded votes: Commissioner Westlaw — yes; Commissioner Roe — yes; others recorded affirmative). Board members said they favored making public access easier and acknowledged the change would require drafting a written policy and technology setup.

Commissioners also discussed ancillary effects, including whether to alter minute-taking or transcription practices as meetings allow more verbal discussion. No change to minute‑taking procedures was adopted at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to draft policy options and return them for review.