As we get near the end of the year, I always like to consider how easy or difficult it is to keep up with local government, especially when you can't make meetings. I enjoy video recording meetings, but have had other priorities this year for the most part. Therefore, being able to hear, on audio, or watch, on video, is important if one wants to be an engaged, informed citizen.
Somervell County has 2013, 2014, and 2015 audio on line to hear.
Glen Rose ISD does have a section on the GRISD website but it does not currently work. At times in the past, the board meetings have been on there, no idea what the status is or how up to date it might be if one could get to it.
Somervell County Water District- wonderfully, the audio and minutes are on the website!
Somervell County Hospital District, although not consistently, puts videos of meetings online. I couldn't find on their website where the videos are, at least it isn't obvious if there is a pointer.
The City of Glen Rose does not put audio online from any meeting.Updated: Christy, the city secretary, has put the last few months online with the agendas for the regular city meetings. Kudos!!!!!!
In fact, I was told today that the city does not save audio from regular meetings, that after minutes are created, the audio is deleted. I have asked on a number of occasions for audio to be posted, or for there to be a retention policy, as well as recording policy requiring all meetings to be recording (including, for example, 4b), and for the audios to be made available via the website for extended periods of time. What then a citizen needs to do that wants to hear what happened at a meeting is to IMMEDIATELY after the meeting request the audio. This only applies to the regular meeting, Zoning, Appeals, but not to other special sessions, 4b, or CVB. I see no reason for Glen Rose not to have a policy to record all meetings, at the very least on audio, and retain those audios for at least a few years, made easily available for citizens to hear.
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What do other cities or government entities do?
Hood County Commissioners Court-goes back to 2011
Austin City Council archives- wonderful links to individual meetings that include an embedded video
City of Dallas has a very nice interface-includes audio that can be listened to on the page itself and goes back to 1996.
City of Granbury has video for their meetings via dropdown menu.
Johnson County - live meetings as well as archived video going back several months.
City of Cleburne, TX has video with their agendas.
City of Stephenville TX has video
