In a move towards modernizing participation in local governance, Sherburne County Commissioners are set to attend a series of board meetings using interactive technology. The scheduled virtual attendances are on the calendar for 9 a.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, as well as 6 p.m. Dec. 4, allowing for one or more commissioners to engage remotely.
The use of such technology for official meetings is in accordance with Minnesota Statute § 13D.02 Subd 1. (a), ensuring transparency and inclusivity during these sessions. This statute stipulates that all participating members, regardless of their physical location, must be able to fully partake in discussions, with clear audio and visual connectivity. Moreover, the public attending at the regular meeting location must be privy to the full scope of the discourse and decision-making process.
Published details on the Sherburne County website state that at least one member of the body will be physically present at the boardroom located in the Sherburne Government Center, with others joining in via interactive technologies. The arrangement aligns with the statutory requirements that ensure governance remains a public and communal endeavor, even as meeting formats adapt to the digital age.
Further ensuring the integrity of the meeting proceedings, the statute requires roll call voting, offering transparency in how each member casts their vote on the various issues. Sherburne County Administrator Bruce Messelt can be contacted for additional details or clarifications concerning the remote attendance at these meetings. The administrator's office can be reached at (763) 765-3001 or via email at [email protected], opening an avenue for residents to inquire further.
