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The word transparency is being used at every level of government. At the National level, League's Citizen Initiative for Transparency project is a multiyear effort to monitor and advocate for open government at all levels. With transparency, voters can make intelligent decisions and feel confident about the way government is run.
The League of Women Voters of Indiana has begun a study and designed a questionnaire to show township constituents the responsibilities of the township office and its value to the community. The League of Women Voters conducts studies and formulates positions at the three levels of government: Local, State and National. We began a local, LaPorte County, LWV study last year with the following wording:
We gathered the 21 townships' 2008 Annual Reports. Analysis of the diverse forms of the reports proved a daunting task. Now, LWVIN has come to our rescue with a format which provides for a summation for each township on its own spreadsheet worksheet. These, in conjunction with a personal interview with each township trustee will give us a picture of costs and extents of services provided.
The Indiana LWV has launched a study of three recommendations of Streamlining Local Government, "The Kernan Shepard Report" They deal with a countywide body to oversee public safety services, a county executive to handle administration including a countywide poor relief levy, and reorganization of library systems by county.
Trustees will be asked to respond to 18 questions. We look forward to meeting with them.
It is anticipated that the League of Women Votes of LaPorte County (LWVLP) and the LaPorte County Township Trustees will work together to learn about and share the current processes of township government within the county. The League of Women Voters' primary focus is good government. It was realized after the increased attention to township government in the 2009 General Assembly that the members of the LWVLP and the general public do not know much about township government.
In order for the members of the League and the general public to become more knowledgeable about township government, it was decided to ask the township trustees who would know best how to explain the day to day operations of township government including the budgeting and taxing processes, services provided, expenditures and more.
It is hoped through a direct dialogue between the LWVLP and the township trustees' information can be obtained and shared with the public about their township government in action. These questions surfaced as the LWV reviewed available reports and published information. It is one way to begin a dialogue for understanding.