02 / Public meetings
Every public word deserves a way in.
The work of a public meeting shouldn't disappear into an unintelligible recording. Carefully reviewed captions and transcripts help residents follow what was said, by whom, and in what context.
We'll move to the next item on the agenda.
The motion was made and seconded.
Is there any discussion before the vote?
More than transcription
A meeting is made of details that matter.
Automatically generated text is a useful starting point, but it can miss names, motion language, speakers and procedural context. Those are precisely the details a public record cannot afford to treat casually.
Names and speakers
Speaker identification and proper names reviewed against the available recording and reference materials.
Motions and votes
Procedural language receives focused listening and careful verification.
Timing and readability
Caption timing, breaks, and transcript organization considered alongside the underlying words.
Our approach
Machines can start it. People must check it.
We use speech recognition as an assistive production tool, not as an excuse to publish unreviewed meeting records.
Listen and transcribe
Work from the supplied recording and any agenda or speaker notes you can provide.
Resolve uncertainties
Review names, motions and ambiguous portions with the recording; note anything that cannot be confidently resolved.
Prepare the handoff
Deliver caption and/or transcript files in agreed formats, together with any important notes about clarity or limitations.
Deliverables
Useful formats for the people who need them.
Timed caption files
Suitable formats such as WebVTT or SubRip, depending on the recording and publishing platform.
Readable text
A speaker-labeled, organized transcript for reference and publication, as agreed in the scope.
A record of uncertainty
Ambiguous segments and source limitations called out, not silently guessed.
Before we begin
What's helpful to share.
What recording formats do you accept?
Start by sending a public recording link or describing what you have. We'll confirm file compatibility, quality and scope before quoting.
Can you guarantee a particular accuracy percentage?
We do not promise a single numerical accuracy rate for every source recording. Audio quality, overlap and names vary. The engagement should specify review expectations and how uncertainty is handled.
What should a clerk prepare?
A public recording link, meeting date, agenda and any available names or speaker references are useful starting materials.
Start small, move carefully
Let's make the next meeting easier to follow.
Share a public link and a brief description. We'll discuss the scope before any work begins.