Polk County Commissioners  heard residents loud and clear  when they said they can’t hear commissioners during meetings.

Commissioners met Monday, April 1 and approved a $35,432 contract with Unified AV Systems out of Charlotte.

The proposal includes four 70’’ LED HDTVs at $9,020, seven HD wireless microphones at $2,373 and an 8-channel HD system for $4,857, among other miscellaneous technology equipment for the system.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson suggested last month that agenda packets should be projected on the screen so audience members could see the same information commissioners see and commissioner Pack suggested the county look into wireless microphones and monitors so all audience members could see and hear. The county has heard complaints for years that audience members cannot hear what commissioners are saying and often speak from the audience telling officials to speak into their microphones. The current microphone system has been in place since the Womack building was constructed in 1999.

Commissioner vice-chair Ted Owens said he doesn’t see how the public can see anything from the audience.

“I think it’s a decision this board has to make,” Owens said, “do we want to make it easier for the public to see and hear or leave it like it is. If we’re going to do it, it’s time we did it or if we don’t let’s quit talking about it.”