Antelope County officials vote to abandon Zoom meetings following disruption

When Antelope County Commissioners convene June 6, members of the public wanting to watch proceedings will have to do so in person.

After a 5-1 vote during the group’s May 9 meeting, broadcasting meetings via the Zoom platform will no longer be an option.

Commissioner Regina Krebs voted against the motion.

During discussion prior to the vote, chairman Charlie Henery said the group made a motion during the pandemic to use virtual conferencing.

“If we don’t want to continue, we need a motion,” he said.

Commissioner Keith Heithoff said the lack of participation via Zoom is “a good reason to stop it.”

Henery noted that Madison and Pierce counties do not use it.

County assessor Kelly Mueller-Oltjenbruns pointed out the small number of users during that day's meeting.

"There's one person watching and she's (with) the newspaper," she said.

Commissioner Eli Jacob said he had discussed the situation with constituents.

"They said if they had something important, they would come to the meeting," Jacob said.

An audience member, Sheryl Baker, asked if meetings could be recorded and available on YouTube.

Henery said in the past, news outlets have recording the proceedings and shared it online.

Baker asked if she could record meetings and share online.

"Why would you want to do that?" Heithoff asked.

Baker explained there are individuals who want to attend meetings but are unable to, due to work.

Henery said, "If people want to know, if they're interested in what we do, they should be here."

Baker stressed again that for working individuals, it's difficult to take off two mornings each month.

"That's their deal," Henery responded.

County attorney Joe Smith was consulted. He said recording meetings would not present a liability issue.

"What happens if she makes a mistake, though?" Smith asked.

Heithoff expressed concerns about others editing video and "whip up people against you."

"I don't see anything positive happening to us by publishing our meetings. The propensity for people to use it negatively against us is there," Heithoff said. "Not everybody has good intentions."