Transparency in government and how it benefits your district

There is a general stigma surrounding special service districts that they operate outside of the laws. But anyone who has actually worked with a district can tell you that’s not true, quite the opposite in fact. Transparency is important to UASD and districts from across the state. It’s not a matter of choosing to be more open; it’s about doing the right thing.

The second president of the United States John Adams once said “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right and a desire to know.” A healthy government can’t operate in the shadows. An open government allows everyone the opportunity to get the information they need without being intimidated or ignored.

It’s impossible to see what’s in a dark colored glass but if you pore the same liquid in a clear glass, it becomes easier to identify it. Healthy government organizations use transparency to add accountability and clarity to its system. It’s a way to show people you don’t operate in the shadows and you have nothing to hide. Trusting the government is hard enough for a lot of people, but the more transparent an organization becomes, people will eventually be able to see the good your district is doing.

Being transparent doesn’t mean exposing government or corporate secrets. The idea of open government means making already public information easier to get to for everyone. The law defines what public information is and transparency is what makes it accessible.

There will be times when you are challenged and maybe even accused of trying to withhold something or that the request is taking too long. Total transparency is essential to the success of your district.