Crow Wing County is set to enhance public access to its Board meetings by partnering with a local cable channel. During a meeting on December 23, 2023, commissioners expressed their support for an agreement that would allow recorded county meetings to be broadcast regularly on cable television.
Jason Walkowiak, the county’s information technology manager, presented the proposal alongside Shawn Strong, the IT and Geographic Information System director for the city of Brainerd. Their collaboration aims to provide a reliable platform for residents to engage with local governance.
The cable channel, which originated from a partnership between Brainerd High School and the Lakes Media Collaborative, faced interruptions in service after renovations at City Hall and the high school in 2019. Strong noted that the channel was inactive for a period until it was revived in mid-2022 through a partnership with Central Lakes College. The city collects a franchise fee from cable subscribers, generating approximately $120,000 annually, which is split between the general fund and the college to support cable operations.
Currently, all city meetings are livestreamed, with college staff managing the broadcasts. Strong remarked that there is no need for city personnel during these operations, allowing for efficient use of resources. The cable channel is operational 24 hours a day, and with its increased capacity, Strong has contracted the county and the Brainerd School District to air their meetings regularly.
The proposed arrangement involves the county providing recorded meetings to Strong or Central Lakes College, who will then upload the content to the cable channel. This service will be available to both Spectrum and CTC cable subscribers at no cost to the county. Additionally, the meetings will continue to be accessible on YouTube for a broader audience.
Board Chair Steve Barrows expressed his approval, stating he saw no drawbacks to the initiative. Commissioner Jamie Lee also voiced strong support, indicating a collective interest among the commissioners. As a result, county staff are expected to collaborate on implementing this service, with plans to launch in January 2024.
Commissioners Jon Lubke and Paul Koering participated in the meeting virtually, contributing to the discussion on enhancing community engagement through accessible local governance. This initiative marks a significant step toward improving transparency and accessibility for Crow Wing County residents.