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Hernando Today

County Goes Higher-Tech

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 19, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Before the high-tech age, the only way citizens could see their government leaders in action at weekly business meetings was to drive to downtown Brooksville and be there promptly at 9 a.m. when the gavel banged and the proceedings got under way.

Ten years ago, with the advent of the Government Broadcasting Channel (now on Ch. 622 for Bright House subscribers), technology made it possible for citizens to watch the meetings from the comfort of their own couch.

In September, the county introduced live Web streaming, which allows people to watch via their computer all the action of the meetings.

Today, in their continuing effort to keep up with the latest technology, the county has launched a new software program that should make watching government and other public meetings even easier.

The technical name for the programs are IQM2 MinuteTraq and MediaTraq and they work in tandem: The former automates the agenda while the latter delivers real-time and on-demand video streaming to the Internet.

In non-tech speak: People can now click on any part of the county commission agenda meeting or land use hearing without having to wade through the entire meeting.

So if busy property owner Joe Smith in Georgia knows there is a rezoning case involving his 50-acre parcel in Ridge Manor, he can go to the government Web site, click on that particular agenda item on the meeting and watch only that so he can get on with his life.

Not only that, but the backup material for his item appears on the right of the computer screen - allowing him to watch the video and read about it at the same time.

With this new system, the public will have unprecedented access to the public meeting process and see their elected representatives in action - anytime, anywhere.

"We are committed to transparency in county government," County Administrator David Hamilton said. "The IQM2 solution has helped us do that."

The county spent $89,300 for the new software system. There is a $12,000 annual cost for maintaining the live Web streaming.

Clerk of the Circuit Court Karen Nicolai and her staff took the lead in researching this new system.

Nicolai said the feedback so far has been excellent.

Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier urges people to go to the county's Web site and play around with the new features.

Every meeting since Oct. 28 has various picture icons to help guide them through the process.

Not only does the automated system benefit citizens, it also makes it easier for county staffers because it take less time to post their items to the agenda. No more paper, Frazier said.

To see the agendas, minutes and video of county commission meetings, go to the Hernando County Government website at www.hernandocounty.us.

Either click on the "agendas" button at the top of the home page, the "live Web streaming" icon on the upper right corner of the page or go to the Clerk of Circuit Court or Board of County Commissioners' page.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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