Audio recordings from Charlotte County Board of Supervisors’ meetings, along with Geographic Information System (GIS) tax maps, are now available on the county’s website.

“I’m glad that the … meetings are now available on the county website,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Garland H. Hamlett Jr. regarding the recordings.

“This was something I supported for some time now. By doing this, it allows the citizens an opportunity to hear the proceedings for themselves.”

The first audio recording was made available online following the Jan. 3 organizational meeting supervisors held.

Red House/Cullen Supervisor Dr. Nancy Carwile said the meetings have been recorded for some time, just not posted online. She said the widespread availability of the internet access makes accessing the recordings easier.

“Now that more and more citizens have access to the internet, more and more information is being placed online,” Carwile said. “The county webpage continues to grow, and putting the audio recordings of the meetings online is only one example of expanded access to Charlotte County information.”

Charlotte Court House resident Terry Ramsey said he felt by posting the audio recordings on the website it helps citizens who are not able to attend the meetings.

“Posting the audio recording of the board of supervisors’ meetings on the county website provides those unable to attend the 1:30 p.m. meetings with easy access to the full proceedings,” said Ramsey. “The board’s written minutes provide only a high-level summary. The audio includes important public comments and verbal reports to the board.”

In the past, citizens who wanted to receive a recording of the meetings were required to pay $1 at the Charlotte County Administrator’s office to receive a copy of the recording on a CD.

Wylliesburg resident Kay Pierantoni said the audio recordings are only helpful to those individuals who have a computer and internet access.

“Having an audio of what is said is helpful for those who can access it; holding meetings at a time when citizens have an opportunity to attend and speak is vital to our county government being truly for the people,” she said.

In addition to the audio recordings now being online, another new addition to the county website includes the viewing of GIS tax maps.

According to Charlotte County Commissioner of Revenue Naisha Pridgen Carter, the tax maps became available for online viewing Jan. 1.

Carter said the tax maps showcase a general idea of how close one property lies to another and the adjacent properties surrounding it.

“It’s been a project that we’ve been considering for the last couple of years,” she said. Carter said the reasoning behind the transition was because most other localities offer the service and the county wanted to make the information easily accessible as a service to the taxpayers.

“We’re glad that we can finally provide this service to the community,” said Carter. 

The audio recordings and tax maps can be accessed online at www.charlotteva.com.