Government Transparency & Efficiency

Government Transparency & Efficiency

Focus: Making Caldwell County government more accessible, responsive, and understandable to the citizens it serves.

My Commitment as Your Commissioner:

Trust between citizens and their government is built on openness, clear communication, and responsiveness. I believe Caldwell County government should operate with maximum transparency and efficiency, ensuring residents can easily access information, understand decisions, and have their voices heard. As your County Commissioner, I will actively champion these principles. Here’s how I plan to be helpful:

1. Promote and Uphold Open Meetings:
   
   

   • How I'll Help: Transparency begins with open proceedings. As Commissioner, I am fully committed to upholding both the letter and the spirit of North Carolina's Open Meetings Law. I will ensure meeting agendas and relevant documents are posted online well in advance, advocate for meetings to be held at times and locations convenient for public attendance when possible, and strongly support the continued use of technology (like live-streaming or timely recording uploads) so citizens can follow Board deliberations even if they cannot attend in person.

2. Ensure Easy Access to Public Records:
   
   

   • How I'll Help: Public records are the people's property, as affirmed by North Carolina law. As Commissioner, I will champion policies and practices that make accessing Caldwell County's public records straightforward, timely, and affordable. I will support investments in technology to digitize records where feasible and improve the searchability and user-friendliness of the county website, putting more information directly at citizens' fingertips. I'll also work with the County Manager to ensure all departments respond efficiently and helpfully to public records requests.

3. Foster Clear Communication from County Departments:
   
   

   • How I'll Help: County communications should be clear, concise, and easy for everyone to understand. As Commissioner, I will work through the County Manager to set a standard for plain-language communication across all departments, minimizing jargon. I will encourage proactive outreach, ensuring information about county services, projects, and decisions is shared widely through the county website, social media, and other accessible channels.

4. Actively Seek and Value Citizen Input:
   
   

   • How I'll Help: Effective governance requires listening to the people you serve. As Commissioner, I will actively seek out and genuinely value citizen input on major decisions, going beyond minimum requirements. This means supporting meaningful public comment periods, making myself personally accessible to hear resident concerns (via email, phone, or community meetings), and exploring tools like surveys or advisory committees to gather broad feedback on key initiatives like budget priorities or land use changes.

5. Drive Improvements in Customer Service:
   
   

   • How I'll Help: Every resident interacting with their county government deserves respectful, efficient, and helpful service. As Commissioner, I will make excellent customer service a county-wide priority. I will work with the County Manager to establish clear service standards and expectations for all departments, support relevant staff training, and encourage methods for tracking citizen satisfaction and identifying areas needing improvement, ensuring accountability and responsiveness.

By prioritizing transparency, clear communication, citizen engagement, and efficient operations, I believe that as your County Commissioner, I can help build greater trust and ensure Caldwell County government is truly working for, and accountable to, the people it serves.