By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro will spend $23,237 plus the cost of electrical work, paint for the council meeting room walls, and removal of wood paneling to install technology to teleconference meetings online.

Matt Stiles, city administrator, said the equipment will be more advanced than the system used by county commissioners and provide better quality video and audio.

Mayor Lou Thurston was enthusiastic about the idea, saying he likes being able to watch and review county commission meetings. He also likes being able to participate.

“I think it would create a little more transparency and make us more available,” Thurston said.

He did have one concern.

“If we go back into the council room, I’d like to see some Plexiglas panels,” Thurston said.

The table in the council room is much smaller than the four-table setup being used now, which spaces council members more than six feet apart.

Glanzer Pro Audio proposed the video conferencing system, including installation of a ceiling microphone at no additional charge because a previous customer changed directions on an installation.