Transparency
Open, Accountable City Government
Harahan already makes many important public records available, and recent efforts to expand financial transparency are a positive step. As a council member, I'll work to build on that progress by making city decisions and spending easier for residents to follow and understand.
“Transparency isn't just making documents public. It's making it possible for residents to understand what their city is doing, what it is spending, and why.”
Show the full cost of major city projects.
Significant public works should have a clear project record showing the approved cost, spending to date, funding source, contractors, major changes and related payments. Residents shouldn't have to piece together months of individual transactions to understand what one project actually costs.
Make contracting easier to follow.
I support Harahan's recent efforts to expand financial disclosure and want to build on them by making the full path of major contracts easier to see — from solicitation and bids or quotes through selection, required licensing and insurance checks, contract changes and final payments.
Make public information easier to use.
Harahan already publishes many important records. Those records should be organized so residents can follow a major project or decision from beginning to end without having to search through multiple folders and documents.
Explain important votes.
On consequential issues, residents should know not only how I voted but why. I'll make my reasoning available and remain accessible when neighbors have questions or disagree.
The goal is simple: make it easier for residents to follow major city decisions from the first proposal through the final vote and final cost.