Open government wins in Lincoln County

The statewide watchdog group, the Washington Coalition for Open Government, honored Lincoln County commissioners with a Key Award for approving a resolution in September that opened negotiations with county union employees to the public. We think the honor was well deserved and showed courage on the rural county’s part. Commissioners took a stand in the public’s best interest and they should be applauded for it. We are glad they were recognized on a statewide level because their efforts will gain more widespread attention, emphasis and traction. Their decision and strong stance mattered. Commissioners took to heart their responsibility of being stewards of taxpayer funds. They refused to bend to pressure and other counties and public entities should take note.

Local media and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, a conservative think tank, supported the commissioners’ resolution. The Foundation has historically supported keeping union negotiations with public employees open and transparent. We couldn’t agree more, especially when there’s so much to be lost when conducting business secretly. Open negotiations ensure all relationships between relevant parties will be disclosed and dealings will be handled with the utmost honor and integrity. We feel the public is best served when no secrets are kept and everything is out in the open. Doing so is also in public officials’ interests because those who are acting above board will be distinctly noticed, as will those who fail in their duties.

Commissioners weren’t alone in their efforts. Mark Hayward, of the Foundation, will be honored for his work in writing the resolution. Now that the heavy lifting is done, it wouldn’t be difficult to replicate the resolution elsewhere, be it in Grant County, Moses Lake or Ephrata. All those entities are stewards of public funds and we think adopting the resolution would make public entities more effective and efficient by spending less.

A Key Award is prestigious and presented to people or organizations throughout the year for noteworthy actions in the interest of open government. To us, open government means being totally accountable to the public and having public officials, whether it be county commissioners, city councilmembers, or school board members, who aren’t afraid to make tough decisions and ruffle some feathers. In Lincoln County’s case, the County was struggling financially and was preparing to ask voters for a public safety tax increase of three-tenths of 1 percent. While this amount doesn’t sound like a lot, we all know voters balk (and rightfully so) at any idea of a new tax. Taxes are a necessary evil in some cases, so it’s important that decision-makers have fully shown the public there’s no secrets when dealing with taxpayer funds.

Approving the resolution statewide in all counties and all levels is a step in the right direction.

Keep the conversation going by sharing Lincoln County’s success story.

— Editorial Board