Page 80 - City of Colleyville FY22 Adopted Budget

 Processing of forms and applications administered through the CSO (alcohol permits,
notice of claims, and board, commission, or committee applications); and
 Assisting the public with general information.

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 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 member’s compliance with
the Texas Open Meetings Act by requiring the online training be taken, and maintaining a
record of the certificate of completion for each member.

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