Commission considers electronic

Loudon County Commission will soon consider adding an electronic voting system that some officials hope could make meetings more efficient.

Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw has wanted the legislative meeting program since attending a Tennessee County Services Association fall conference three years ago.

On Monday, Bradshaw introduced OpenMeeting Technologies representatives Mark Netsch and Mike Bauer, who through Zoom showcased what the program had to offer. Commissioners went through a practice run of how they could use the system for a meeting.

“I think it streamlines everything, it keeps everything a little bit organized, a little bit pointed in the right direction, and I think it’d be a valid step,” Bradshaw said.

Fees, licensing and 12 tablets for commissioners, Bradshaw and Loudon County Budget Director Tracy Blair could cost $12,000, Bradshaw said. There is also an annual fee, which according to the OpenMeeting Technologies presentation, is $3,500. Additional costs are incurred if other committees use the system.

Blair said money could come out of Fund 171 for capital projects.

“Looking forward the way it goes, I think it takes some of the standing out of it,” Bradshaw said. “I think it takes away your bandwagon vote. We discuss these items at extent at our workshop, such as tonight, and then we come back and we rehash it all again.

“Our meetings can sometimes be long, which I don’t object, that’s kind of what we get paid to do, but I’ve seen counties go through 100-item agendas in 30 minutes,” he added. “I think it’s just an opportunity to make the way we operate a little bit smoother.”

Commissioner Matthew Tinker favored the program’s potential.

“I think if you watch some of those meetings and the way that they take place, it’s a huge difference,” Tinker said. “It’s way more organized, much more professional, much less arguing and bickering back and forth in those meetings that should have taken place during the workshop. I mean those meetings are meant to be voting meetings, not two-hour-long discussion meetings. That’s what tonight is for.”

Commissioner Van Shaver disagreed, adding that he doesn’t believe electronic voting will change how meetings are operated.

The speaker option, which lists those seeking to talk, is also worthwhile, Tinker said.

“That way people aren’t talking over each other or arguing back and forth,” he said. “That’s not how a meeting is supposed to run either. That’s why those are set up that way. I like the order of it. Now that’s just the way that I like things to run.”

Although Commissioner Gary Whitfield is “on the fence” regarding the system, he sees some benefits.

“I do think the pros of folks (not) talking over each other, hopefully speeding up the meeting,” Whitfield said. “I do agree with Commissioner Tinker that during a workshop all our discussions ought to be done during a workshop and when it comes to meeting time, it’s meeting time. I hope that may change some of that but I’m not sure that it would.