Addressing transparency

Last year, after obtaining advice of legal counsel, the Moorcroft governing body held only an emergency meeting after a public hearing at the June meeting to accept the new fiscal budget in order to facilitate approval before the end of the current fiscal year which is June 30.

The council had planned on following the same procedure this year in the interest of money and time; however, there has arisen a question of transparency from a member of the public. Prior to Monday’s meeting, the individual approached Mayor Dick Claar with a concern about the perceived lack of transparency when the council does not allow the public the three meetings to prepare, participate and express any concerns they may have.

Regardless of whether there is one meeting or three, until that final reading, the budget is still open for adjustments noted Claar, who expressed his perplexity about this concern because a copy of the new budget can be obtained from the clerk’s office at any time.

“If they’re really interested in the budget, come down, get a copy and go over it,” he said.

The council approved the requested schedule change, though, for the sake of transparency. The first special meeting on Wednesday, June 12; the second on Monday, June 17; and the last being the regular Monday meeting, June 24.