Public raises concern after board stops live streaming meetings; commenters warn of censorship risk

During the public‑comment portion of the Nov. 18 meeting, an unidentified commenter told the board that community members had submitted requests and written statements protesting the board's decision to stop live streaming public board meetings. The commenter said edited recordings create an "imminent danger called censorship" because editors might remove remarks the board or editors find unfavorable, leaving taxpayers without authentic source material.

"If meetings are no longer live streamed, misinformation, distrust, and rumors become the reality," the commenter said, arguing that taxpayers have a right to see public meetings in full. The speaker also asked who will decide what the public can or cannot see or hear if the board moves to edited recordings.

Board members acknowledged receipt of letters and statements from constituents on the topic. The board did not reverse any decision at this meeting but recognized public concern and said staff had noted the correspondence for the record.

The concern followed an earlier procedural announcement that the board had met in executive session prior to the public meeting to discuss personnel and solicitor updates, a fact some commenters cited when urging open access to board deliberations.