Title: Why Is Transparency Critical in Local Government? | Diligent Insights
Headings: Why Is Transparency Critical in Local Government?
Why Is Transparency Critical in Local Government?
In this article, you will learn:
Why openness and accountability go hand-in-hand with transparency
How both internal and external communications improve with greater transparency
Why transparency is most effective with the right digital tools designed for local governments
The Benefits of Openness, Transparency, and Accountability
Transparency Enhances Communication
Technology Is the Key to Transparency
Diligent is here to help your organization have the right tools, insights and analytics

Content: Digital tools create an environment of openness, transparency, honesty, accuracy, accountability. The Benefits of Openness, Transparency, and Accountability
Public officials with integrity are ever mindful of the fact that the money they have to spend on their communities comes directly from their citizens through tax dollars and that the government exists to serve them. Having access to these funds also means that citizens have the right to know how their local officials intend to allocate those funds. Good governance entails keeping the best interests of the citizens at the forefront of decision-making for the community. In a sense, the citizens act as overseers for their public officials and government staff. The more a local government can provide in the way of transparency, the more it increases trust, honesty, and integrity in the government leaders. Another area where local governments can improve the public’s trust in them is by sharing policies publicly. That way the public knows how the government officials should be handling things and can hold them accountable for doing so. Code enforcement rules and requirements, board meeting minutes, council meeting minutes, financial documents, budgets, and annual reports should all be easily accessible by the public. Integrity is inherently connected with trust.