Screenshot of an Alpine Town Council Meeting being streamed to the Town’s YouTube channel. Alpine was the first town to pass a resolution asking the Lincoln County Commission to stream their meetings. No action on the topic was taken in the most recent commission meeting.

Following a discussion on providing a live and archived video stream of Lincoln County Commission Meetings, commissioners took no action on the topic. The discussion took place during the regularly scheduled Lincoln County Commission Meeting held in Kemmerer on November 18.

Lincoln County Commission Chief of Staff, Stephen Allen, reported on findings by research done by himself and the county’s I.T. department. According to Allen, providing a live, interactive video feed would cost the county $50,000 in equipment purchases and upgrades and would also take two staff members in both Afton and Kemmerer to operate the stream in a manner that would allow for remote viewers to be interactive.

Allen also stated that the county is currently meeting requirements from state statute by providing a live zoom feed in Afton of the meetings held in Kemmerer, with audio recordings of meetings available.

Concerns over audio quality and unexpected technical issues during a live feed were also brought up by Allen and the commission. Commissioner Mel Shumway suggested that the county continue to explore various options. Commissioner Shumway mentioned the upcoming budget session with the Wyoming State Legislature, recommending to see how the session plays out in regards to future finances for the county before committing funds to equipment and personnel.

Commissioner Bowers agreed, and direction was given to Chief Allen to continue to study and research the options, with the discussion to be brought up again following the legislative session.

The Lincoln County Republican Party along with the Towns of Alpine, Star Valley Ranch, Thayne and Afton have all passed resolutions encouraging the commission to provide a live and archived video feed of commission meetings. Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson has also previously expressed support for the live video feed. “I don’t believe the desire is to interact remotely, but to view and observe people’s business being done,” stated Sheriff Johnson. “If someone is on the agenda, it is not unreasonable to have them appear in Afton or Kemmerer. This would neither be cost-prohibitive nor likely to demand more personnel.”

“I am disappointed that the commissioners took no action regarding live streaming their meetings,” Town of Alpine Mayor Eric Green said in a statement to SVI Media. “Transparency is essential in this day and age, and unless the county takes this simple step, I will be concerned we don’t know what is really going on in Kemmerer. The Town of Alpine, along with our IT professional, would be more than happy to show them how easy it really is to get it set up.”