Elected Officials Should Make Transparency Their New Year Resolution

As we step into the New Year, many individuals will be setting resolutions to exercise more, eat healthier, and lose weight. Similarly, January marks the start of a new term for many newly elected or re-elected public servants across New York State.

While personal habits can be challenging to change, the need for transparency and openness in government is more pressing than ever. To begin 2025 on the right foot, elected officials on village boards, town boards, city councils, and county legislatures should commit to making the public's business more open and transparent.

Here’s a suggested resolution for our elected officials to introduce and pass:

Post Meeting Notices in Advance: Ensure timely posting of notices for all meetings at least one week before the scheduled meeting date.

Publish Draft Meeting: Ensure that draft meeting minutes are posted online no more than two weeks after a meeting.

Encourage Public Participation: Allow members of the public to speak at the beginning of each meeting, both on agenda and non-agenda items, whether they are attending in person or remotely.

Support Live Streaming of Meetings: Advocate for the live streaming of meetings via video, with recordings posted online afterward for public access.

Minimize Executive Sessions: Conduct private executive sessions only on rare occasions and in strict accordance with the New York State Open Meetings Law. The motion to hold an executive session should include specific details beyond general terms like "litigation," "personnel," or "collective bargaining."

Post Annual Financial Disclosures: Support the publication of annual financial disclosure forms 3 for all elected members on the government website, similar to the practices of state elected officials.

Refrain from Private Political Caucuses

While private political party caucus meetings are permitted, there is no reason for local governments to hold such meetings for discussing political or public business.

Ensure Easy Access to Records

Support the public’s right to access records by prominently displaying information regarding the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) on the government website. Proactively post documents online to reduce the need for FOIL requests. Provide a simple, fillable form to assist the public in submitting FOIL requests via email.

Timely FOIL Responses

Commit to responding to all FOIL requests in a timely manner and establish a quarterly reporting system to monitor compliance and ensure efficient handling of requests.

By passing this resolution, our elected officials can demonstrate their dedication to transparency and build trust with the communities they serve. Let’s make 2022 a year of open, accessible, and accountable governance.