(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Commissioners meetings will no longer be available on ZOOM.

 

The decision was made this morning during the commissioners’ first meeting of the year. Newly elected Commissioner Steve Holifield, who made the motion, said most counties in Indiana no longer offer ZOOM for people to take part and watch meetings. Commission President Connie Gramarossa said ZOOM meetings did not exist until the COVID-19 pandemic when they served more of a purpose to help slow the spread of the virus by keeping physical attendance at meetings limited.

 

“It is currently costing us $7,000 a year to have, plus, all of the overtime or comp time that we’re having to give to run these meetings,” she said.

 

The information technology department of county government has been present during commissioners meetings to switch on and oversee Zoom meetings.

 

Opposing the decision was Commissioner Joe Haney, who felt ZOOM meetings are a good way for department heads and citizens to conveniently take part in commissioners meetings. He said a department, for example, can avoid a potential long drive and remain at home with family by taking part in evening meetings on Zoom. He added, citizens with challenges driving can take part in meetings on ZOOM or watch them from home.

 

“These are folks not easily able to travel,” he said.

 

The decision comes several weeks after a hacker was able to show pornography for several minutes during a county council meeting on ZOOM.