After an intense and protracted squabble, the McLean County Board approved spending more than $100,000 dollars for a new audio vision system for the county board room.
Opponents argued the matter should be dealt with in the ordinary budgeting process, not as a special or 'emergency' appropriation.
Member Bill Caisley said there are other priorities to consider.
"A number of things that may be of greater importance and currency than spending the money on ourselves," said Caisley.
But member Erik Rankin called it a transparency move.
"We are not spending on ourselves. Our audio system is spending for our constituents so they can listen to and take in the information that we disseminate on their behalf," said Rankin.
Supporters say the existing system is outdated. Board member Laurie Wollrab said the new system would be a big step forward.
"I think this is the first step toward actually streaming our meetings. That is something that local governments have gone to and the public is demanding and we're not anywhere close to without doing this," said Wollrab.
The current system was also damaged by a power surge, which led to the initial push to find a new system now. It also predates the county government complex.
