Zoom back to normal

Public bodies need the public present

Public bodies across Northwest Arkansas have scrambled in recent weeks to do business that, by design, is meant to be conducted with plenty of people around.

In non-pandemic times, the process is pretty straightforward: A public meeting is announced, the public body’s members gather at the announced location at the appointed time, and members of the public who wish to monitor the discussions and decisions show up to observe and, where appropriate, offer their comments.

It’s been a little more than a month since the cascade of business closures and restrictions on activities began in response to the threat of covid-19’s spread. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson mandated schools close on March 17. Public health officials have placed limits on large gatherings and encouraged people to stay at least 6 feet apart when they have to be away from home, affecting everything from how we shop to how we memorialize a loved one who has died.

Initially, a lot of public meetings were canceled or postponed as local government leaders asked themselves “How do we meet without meeting?” The obligations of governing do not disappear even when a deadly virus is out searching for hosts. Neither do the obligations to involve the public.

Thanks to 21st century technology, city councils, planning commissions and quorum courts have figured out ways to get the job done, at least at a basic level. Using the internet makes speaking to each other possible, although the experience is often clunky for the decision-makers and observers.

The strange circumstances have led to concerns and even occasional arguments about whether meetings are being properly held or whether the public is getting ample opportunity to speak. Those are critically important matters to resolve. It’s easy to understand glitches here and there in working out these virtual meeting details, but those responsible must keep public access among their major priorities.

The state Legislature, in its recent fiscal session, wisely created legal room to allow governing bodies to use teleconferencing and other meeting methods while the state’s emergency declaration exists, or through the end of the year. The measure that created that authority recognized the need for public involvement.

Failures to preserve open government happen when everything is operating rather normally; these disruptive times require even more devotion to the concept. That means slowing things down, going above and beyond in notifying the public of meetings and explaining how they may participate, and not ram-rodding through issues while fewer people are there to witness it.

A public body operating at a distance from the people is distanced from its very purpose.

As eager as everyone is to get back to haircuts, worship services and dining at favorite restaurants, let’s also make sure our government decision-makers return to their in-person meetings as soon as public health and safety allow.