By Jef Rietsma Journal Correspondent
Like many municipal governments, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a state of emergency to continue broadcasting its meetings electronically.
During their first in-person meeting since fall 2020, commissioners on Tuesday agreed they will stick to assembling in-person for their twice-per-month board meetings.
The commission, however, agreed it would be prudent to maintain public broadcast of meetings via Zoom.
Without approval of the local emergency declaration, the board and other panels under the umbrella of the county commission would not have the option of conducting virtual meetings.
“Some don’t feel comfortable meeting in person yet … some of the commissioners have heard from them, asking us to extend (the declaration) so that they can continue to meet virtually as opposed to back in person,” board chairman Dennis Allen said. “This gives them freedom of choice, (though) we plan on remaining in person right now.”