Eagle, Idaho – Idaho Freedom Foundation Executive Director Wayne Hoffman today encouraged Idaho government leaders to follow Eagle City Council’s example and approve transparency measures that allow taxpayers to review expenses, revenues and contracts online.

Eagle City Council passed its transparency resolution last week. The resolution requires the city to post expenses, revenues and contracts on the city’ website.

“Eagle’s leaders made a fantastic first step toward promoting a new level of transparency and accountability in city government,” Hoffman said. “For the first time in the state of Idaho, a local government has decided to put its cards on the table and give taxpayers the opportunity for close, routine monitoring of city expenditures and business dealings. It is our hope that all levels of government will create similar websites that empower Idahoans and boost transparency and accountability in government.”

The resolution requires the city to keep updated and detailed records of city revenues, expenditures, leases, grants and contracts on the Eagle city website. The information is already public under the state’s public records law, but often Idahoans have to file written requests for the information or jump through hoops to get it.

Across the country, all levels of government are passing laws, resolutions and ordinances requiring detailed levels of scrutiny on city expenditures, many utilizing database software to make every transaction available and searchable.

The Idaho Freedom Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank that promotes transparency in government, free-market solutions, private property rights, economic freedom and empowering Idahoans to take back their freedoms.
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