HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-04-minutes-bocc-facebook-page2017-04-04 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 3:30 P.M. APRIL 4, 2017
Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz and Commissioner Obie O’Brien.
Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II; Jim Goeben,
IT Director; Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board. Guests by Phone:
Commissioner Edna Fund – Lewis County and Rachel Hunt, Staff Member
Lewis County Commissioners Office.
SPECIAL MEETING BOCC - FACEBOOK COMMISSIONERS
At 3:30 p.m. Chairman Jewell opened a Special Meeting to consider
creating an Official County Commissioners Facebook Page. He stated
that he would turn the meeting over to Commissioner Osiadacz as she
requested the meeting.
Commissioner Osiadacz introduced Lewis County Commissioner Edna Fund
and Lewis County Commissioner Staff member Rachel Hunt. She
explained that her reason for asking Commissioner Fund to call in
for the meeting is that Lewis County has an extremely successful
Facebook Page. She felt Commissioner Fund could contribute to the
conversation by sharing what they have learned through the process
as well as the unexpected benefits that have come from using the
application to push information out to their constituents.
Commissioner Fund explained that they have used Facebook as a
recruitment tool as well as to get the Commissioners stories/events
out in their words with accurate information. Commissioner Osiadacz
explained why this avenue would be effective. She provided
statistics on age groups and how they receive their information. She
explained that it’s her desire to provide the most transparent
government possible to the citizens of Kittitas County. She stated
that there are currently 7 County Facebook Pages and the County has
policy on how to address the use of it.
The Board asked if Staff had any concerns, or input they wanted
considered.
Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board expressed concerns regarding how
we would handle public records requests; how it would be determined
what would be published; as well as who would be responsible for
monitoring and responding to the comments received. She suggested
that the posting be a responsibility of the Chair of the Board so it
would rotate and follow whoever was the Chairperson for the year.
She explained that it would be similar to at the first of each year
2017-04-04 MINUTES 2
the Board selects its Department Heads they plan to oversee and
Committee’s to sit on representing the County. She stated that the
County website is great and has everything on it already.
Jim Goeben, IT Director explained that he has mixed feelings. He
stated from a records management standpoint he feels it’s very risky
as he has the potential risks discussed around him all the time.
However from an informational standpoint he sees the potential
benefit.
Commissioner O’Brien explained that he had previously brought up the
topic a few years ago and after discussion and review at that time
the Board determined there were too many “unknowns” and opted out of
doing a Facebook Page. He stated that he still is not in favor of it
and in addition to the risks and liability it creates extra work for
Staff that already have a big work load.
Chairman Jewell stated that he is extremely cautious when it comes
to this topic. He stated that he feels as though it has potential to
open a can of worms and the County needs assurance that the risks
can be mitigated. He felt there are questions that still need to be
addressed for example who monitors the page, how often and how it
will be determined what content is posted. He felt that in itself
will require a Special Meeting to decide what will be posted etc. He
explained that he can see a benefit when there are emergencies going
on and needing to get accurate facts out. He explained that he would
like to support Commissioner Osiadacz, but for now he needs some of
the stated unknowns and concerns addressed before he could.
Meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Paul Jewell, Chairman