HERMANN – The Gasconade County Commission last week began live-streaming its sessions on YouTube as a way to increase public awareness of the workings of county government.

Getting back into broadcasting the sessions — County Clerk Lesa Lietzow explained that a similar effort was made several years ago — was the idea of County Assessor Julia Baker, who suggested that sessions would be made available to county residents who are unable to attend the Thursday morning meetings. Residents also can view the sessions at their convenience because the meetings would be archived.

“County government makes important decisions concerning roads, budgets, contracts, public services, expenditures, emergency services,county operations and other matters that affect the daily lives of Gasconade County residents,” Baker wrote in her formal proposal to the Commission “Citizens should have a reasonable opportunity to see and hear those discussions for themselves, even when they cannot physically attend a Commission meeting,” she added.

Baker made the case in her proposal that county government should take advantage of technology to make government operations more accessible to the public. “Our citizens are increasingly accustomed to having information available when and where it is convenient for them,” the assessor wrote in the proposal document. “Modern technology provides the county with an opportunity to bring county government directly to the public rather than requiring citizens to come to the courthouse in order to participate as observers,” she said.

Live-streaming the sessions will allow residents to:

Watch Commission meetings in real time from their homes or on mobile devices.

Watch a recorded version at a later time if they are unable to attend or watch it live.

Better understand how county government decisions are made.

Hear discussions directly from elected officials rather than relying solely on second-hand information.

Become more informed about county finances, projects, policies and serv

Develop a greater understanding of the responsibilities and challenges facing county government.

Remain engaged with their local government even when they cannot physically be present.

Baker’s proposal pointed out the benefits of livestreaming to county government:

A clear record of discussions and decisions.

Easier public access to information.

A resource for citizens who have questions about previous decisions.

Greater understanding of the works performed by county officials.

An education resource for residents interested in county government.

Increased public engagement in important county matters.

A way to demonstrate the work being performed by county government on a regular basis.

“It may also help citizens better understand that county government is made u pof numerous responsibilities, decisions, challenges and competing priorities that are not often not visible to the public,” she said.

The Commission agreed to livestreaming sessions for a few months and then review it to decide if it wishes to continue the service.