Newest Reality TV: O.C. Supervisors

Cameras finally came to the Board of Supervisors’ chamber Tuesday to record the first meeting in a yearlong experiment to distribute videotapes for broadcast over local cable systems.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who spearheaded a three-year fight to have meetings televised, said it offers the public a front-row seat to see how county decisions are made, including unpopular ones.

“This board makes $4 billion worth of decisions every year, and the public has an absolute right to see how it spends their money,” Spitzer said.

In August, supervisors approved $284,000 for a 12-month contract to videotape meetings for cable television through Network Television Time of Los Angeles. The firm also tapes meetings of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

According to the schedule, tapes of the meeting will be distributed to six cable companies for broadcasting beginning Thursday.

A nearby room has been converted into a control booth. Robotic cameras and modified lighting have been installed in the board’s chamber.

“Government is always better with public understanding and involvement,” said Chairman Chuck Smith, who called the project “an important step” for the county.

The first broadcast will be at 8 p.m. Thursday on Channel 6 by Time Warner Communications, which serves Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Stanton and Westminster. A rebroadcast is scheduled Saturday at 11 a.m.

Other cable companies scheduled to broadcast the meeting include Adelphia in Brea, AT&T; Broadband in Cypress, Comcast Cablevision in west Orange County, Cox Communications in South County and RETV in Laguna Woods. Viewers should check their local listings.

The proposal, which makes Orange County the last major county in California to televise its meetings, had long faced opposition from a majority of supervisors but finally won approval last year.

Those wanting to comment on televised board meetings can contact the county by telephone at (714) 834-7266 or by e-mail at https://www.boardtv@ocgov.com.