Page 67 - Colleyville FY19 Budget

claims, and board, commission, or committee applications);
• Assisting the public with general information; and
• Receiving citizen concerns and resolving same in a professional and confidential
manner

2. Ensure an Open Government
1.1 – Actively involve and engage stakeholders
1.4 – Communicate thoroughly and strategically

When we think of government transparency, we most often think
about finances. While important, local governments go beyond the
numbers of revenue and spending to report on other public
concerns such as environmental issues, Fire/EMS/Police,
community culture, and human services.
The CSO is a service oriented department entrusted to serve as
stewards of open and transparent City government through the
Local Government Code, Texas Open Meetings Act, Public
Information Act, City Charter, and adherence to the laws that
govern; and to build public trust and confidence in local
government through the establishment of open and transparent
processes and procedures, and accurate information management.

The Texas Open Meetings Act applies to nearly every governmental
body in Texas, yet there has not been a consistent way for public
officials to receive training on how to comply with these laws. This
is significant, because a failure to comply with the Open Meetings
Act may result in civil and criminal penalties for public officials, and
can also lead to a general breakdown of confidence in our
governing bodies.
The Office of the Attorney General has found when open
government laws are violated by a governmental body, it is the
result of public officials simply not knowing what the law requires.
Inconsistent and inaccurate legal advice regarding these laws has sometimes added to the
confusion.

Attorney General Greg Abbott called on the 79th Texas Legislature to enact legislation to
require public officials to obtain open government training in an effort to promote openness
and increase compliance with our "Sunshine laws." The Legislature responded by passing
Senate Bill 286, which requires public officials to receive training in the requirements of
the Open Meetings Act beginning January 1, 2006.

The CSO consistently manages board, commission, and committee members, compliance
with the Texas Open Meetings Act by holding frequent viewings of the training video, and
filing of the certificate of completion for each member.
3. Enhance Governmental Transparency

1.3 – Assure convenient access to public information
1.4 – Communicate thoroughly and strategically

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