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Fort Smith Plans Online Streaming Of Board Meetings [Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark. :: ](Times Record (Fort Smith, AR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 31--Fort Smith plans to offer live streaming of Board of Directors meetings via the city website, fortsmithar.gov, as early as September. The city televises its board meetings on a government access channel through Cox Communications cable services. "Cox is the only place it's available right now," Fort Smith Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman said. "I think that's part of the drive for the live stream. For people who don't have Cox, there's not a way to get it." The live stream could be available in September pending a successful trial run. Dingman said the city hopes to use the television production company, 777 Productions, to help with the streaming effort. "We're trying to make it so we can use 777's feed instead of having to come up with our own separate camera," he said. The reason behind the effort: "Somebody asked how come we're not," Dingman said. Fort Smith began televising its Board of Directors meetings in 2009, but stopped in January 2011 following budget cuts. In 2012, based on higher-than-expected sales-tax revenues, directors amended the budget to include broadcasting funds. The second era of televised city meetings was ushered in that May. Television services cost the city $1,100 per meeting, Dingman said. During board business meetings, three cameras are set up: one in back aimed at the board, another to the side for close-ups of directors and a third focused on the podium. The Board of Directors' business meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month. Video of previous board meetings is available online on the city's website. ___ (c)2014 Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) Visit Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) at www.swtimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |