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County moves to implement SB 707 remote‑public‑participation requirements and outreach plan
Summary
Deputy Executive Officer Stephanie Shea presented the county's SB 707 implementation plan, including a telephone participation platform, an informational website with registration instructions in English and Spanish, and a targeted outreach campaign to engage underserved communities; the board approved the outreach plan.
The board reviewed a staff presentation on Senate Bill 707 implementation and an associated outreach plan to provide remote public participation options for county meetings. Deputy Executive Officer Stephanie Shea said the statute — effective July 1, 2026 — requires counties over 30,000 population to offer remote participation and that the Clerk of the Board has secured a telephone platform and will publish a public information website in English and Spanish explaining registration and public‑comment procedures.
Shea said the outreach plan includes targeted advertising, newsletters, social media, QR codes for handouts at county events, and partnerships with community groups and county departments to reach underserved populations who do not traditionally attend board meetings in person. "Our county is large geographically; partnering with departments and local community groups will help engage those in underserved areas," she said.
Board members characterized the item as a receive‑and‑file/approval of the outreach plan and voted unanimously to find the outreach reasonable and to approve staff’s approach.
Why it matters: SB 707 will change how residents can participate in local meetings by requiring remote options; the county’s plan aims to make participation accessible for non‑English speakers and residents in remote communities.
