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Commissioners debate reverting meetings to 9:30 a.m.; cost and access clash
Summary
Commissioner Shipley introduced a resolution to revert weekly meetings to 9:30 a.m., saying the current evening schedule increases overtime costs; other commissioners said later hours improved public access and attendance for working residents. No vote was taken; attorneys said the prior resolution requires action next week to change the schedule.
Commissioner Shipley introduced Resolution 326-14 to revert the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners'weekly meetings to 9:30 a.m., arguing the evening schedule raises staffing costs. "It's costing taxpayers about $3,100 more dollars a month holding county employees over every evening," Shipley said as he urged the board to return to morning meetings.
Several commissioners disputed that reverting to mornings would increase access. Commissioner Eversaw said he could not support moving meetings back and urged keeping later start times to serve working constituents. "I don't do this for me. I do it for the citizens of District 10," Eversaw said, arguing later meetings let working residents attend.
Commissioners proposed multiple alternatives during the debate: keeping the current afternoon/evening schedule, moving start times modestly earlier (3:30–4:00 p.m.), holding meetings twice a month, or switching the meeting day. Commissioner Sharp suggested a compromise of an agenda meeting in the morning with a 5:00 p.m. regular meeting to increase accessibility for workers.
Legal counsel reminded the board that a prior resolution established the trial period and required the county attorney to bring a resolution today and that any formal change would require a vote next week. Commissioners repeatedly described the issue as balancing staff safety and convenience with public participation: some speakers cited staff safety concerns when meetings end after dark, while others in the public and several commissioners said evening meetings increased civic engagement.
No formal vote on Resolution 326-14 occurred during the March 11 session; commissioners indicated the matter would return for a vote at the next meeting.
