One of the gripes repeated in many public issues? Transparency of government functions. What are they doing and how much does it cost? City of Bishop Mayor Dave Stottlemyre has an idea.
At the meeting of the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Friday in Bishop, a software company will make a presentation to officials of our two counties. Mike McCann of Delphi software in Mountain View, California, will talk about his company’s software which is designed to improve government transparency.
Mayor Stottlemyre said that the software would allow for the public to have ongoing access to local government budgets to see what’s happening with their money. Stottlemyre said the cost would be $200 per month. He thinks it’s worth a try for local governments and special districts.
The Council of governments will also look at creation of a radio communication contract with other agencies. That meeting is scheduled to start at 1pm Friday at Bishop City Council Chambers.
Before that meeting, the Board of Eastern Sierra Transit Authority will meet starting at 10 am at Bishop City Council Chambers. That board will consider a drug and alcohol policy update for ESTA and possible approval of a conflict of interest code.
In a closed session, the ESTA Board will deal with labor negotiations and real property negotiations with the Town of Mammoth and its transportation facility in the Industrial Park regarding a lease.
Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News - The Community's News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I see the “majority” of the city council has weighted in on the appropriate thumbs up/down!
I have gone to many 4 pm sessions in the last year.
I can testify, nothing earth shaking has transpired in those meetings…
This is not a matter of “earth shaking”, it’s a question of deliberation of public issues at a time when the public anticipates that deliberation.
Benett Kessler
Yes, that is where a “majority” of unnamed councilmembers cast their votes. When Griffiths first ran for city council, he said he was going to get rid of the study sessions. I understand the last time Susan Cullen brought it up, the rest of them – including Griffiths – “voted” to keep it just the way it is – off camera, vague minutes.
Tapping into reserves? How come we haven’t heard anything about this?
If they really wanted to be transparent they would end their so called public study sessions at four each afternoon. There is usually no news media or public in attendance during the afternoon meetings and that is when and where this council has its discussions and where most items are decided.
This is a pretty fine idea considering that revenues for the city are flat, cost increase’s keep inching up and maybe folks are really aware, but the City of Bishop has been tapping into reserves for the last couple of years. So, if we have a cash crash, at least you could say you saw it coming….
Tourism is our main industry. If it slips just a certain amount of percentage, the city will be in a “Dry Spell” financial situation.