Effective transparency critical for the function of city government
More than two years ago I accepted the honor to be the inspector general for the city of Albuquerque. I have enjoyed my time here and am experiencing mixed emotions about leaving. My reason for leaving is both personal and professional. But rather than take this time to look forward, I’d like take a look in the rearview mirror and share what I see.
Soon after I took the reins in 2016, I made it my purpose to be “present” — I believe as a leader and a public servant, it is inherent in my responsibilities to be accessible, visible and engaged with all aspects of public service — that’s especially true at the municipal level. I only missed about five City Council meetings, usually due to travel or illness. I attended many other city meetings as well at times, such as board and committee meetings and the Council’s Finance and Government Operations meetings. I attended neighborhood association meetings and included a biweekly briefing at the New Employees Orientation for city employees.
The City Council meetings were the most important though, as these were the meetings to hear the comments and concerns of the public. These were the meetings at which citizens could approach me — before, at breaks or after the meetings. These were the meetings that I could learn the important developments in policy, spending and new projects. These were also the meetings to watch citizens being honored for going “above and beyond” as they were acknowledged with proclamations.
Transparency. Perhaps there’s nothing more important than the concept of transparency in earning the confidence of the community, especially in municipal government. Transparency also is one of the most critical priorities for any inspector general, and is required in the city of Albuquerque’s Inspector General Ordinance: “(A) The Council finds that good governance, transparency and accountability are critical in the public sector for the effective and credible functioning of a healthy democracy, and in fulfilling the government’s responsibility to citizens and taxpayers.”
Effective transparency can strengthen the confidence of the public in its government. “Transparency” is frequently included in the priorities and dialogue of politicians seeking office. However, true transparency is a large pill to swallow when the release of information and data can pose a considerable risk of reputation and support. It’s easy to be transparent when the news is positive, but it becomes very challenging when the news is bad. Regardless, having the courage to be transparent in the long run is always a good thing — the people always have a right and expectation to know the truth. Transparency does instill confidence in government, and that is what all elected and appointed public servants have a moral obligation to support.
While I leave this great city with unfinished business and a vision of what might have been, I also believe my time here made a difference. The Boy Scouts taught me to always leave a camp cleaner than one found it. I believe we helped make the citizens more aware of how their government operates and how their hard-earned tax dollars were spent. I believe our review of the TASER selection process helped do that. I believe our multiple investigations of the Animal Welfare Department helped do that. I believe our investigation of campaign finance issues of a candidate for City Council helped do that. I believe our inspection of the city’s challenges of compliance with the soon-to-be-28-year-old civil rights law for the Americans with Disabilities helped do that. I believe our inspection of the enormous Albuquerque Rapid Transit project helped do that. There were many other matters we looked at and offered our recommendations for improvement that helped do that.
I truly believe as I say farewell to this beautiful Land of Enchantment, I have helped to protect the public’s trust. Thank you citizens, for allowing me to serve and experience this great city of yours — I’m enchanted! It has been one of my greatest honors and experiences. Always seek the truth.