Councilors back exploring posting county checkbook online; staff to return with options

A council member raised a proposal to increase fiscal transparency by posting county financial records online, including a monthly check register and procurement card register. He cited models from Richland County and Charleston as examples of how jurisdictions allow the public to review spending without filing public records requests.

Several council members and the Chair endorsed the idea as consistent with constituent expectations for transparency and asked county staff to bring back a proposal with options and implementation details — for example, a monthly PDF or an interactive register. County staff said they would compile options and return to council at a subsequent meeting.

The discussion concluded with the committee asking staff to develop proposals showing different presentation formats and levels of detail so the council can decide how to proceed at a later meeting.