Local governments are figuring out how to conduct normal business during the coronavirus outbreak. Chesterfield County is trying to hold a public meeting on the upcoming budget while still adhering to the protocols for social distancing.
After the state of emergency declaration, Chesterfield officials shifted public budget meetings to a streaming only formats, such as Facebook live. Residents have been able to post questions in real time or email comments before each event.
However, for Wednesday’s public hearing on the budget, the county wants to make sure citizens can still comment in person.
“Many pieces of county business have to motor on. It looks and feels a little bit different but at the end of the day, we have a job to do and we take that very seriously," said Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris. He said the budget needs to be finalized by May 1.
The county is limiting eight people at a time into the public meeting room. Those waiting outside will be put in staging areas supervised by sheriff’s deputies, who’ll then escort them inside.
All information about Chesterfield’s budget, including areas to leave public comments, can be found at Blueprint.Chesterfield.Gov
