Tyler

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

The Smith County Commissioner's Court unanimously approved implementation of a general fund and Road and Bridge Department check register as another part of the county's comprehensive goal of government transparency during its regular Monday meeting.

The county joins Collin County as the second governmental body in the state to register individual checks, making them available for viewing by the general public. Smith County auditor Ann Wilson expects checks will be available to the public via the county's website within 30 days.

Earlier concerns about exposing personal information have been addressed, she said. Ms. Wilson said all relevant information will be available but personal information, like individual names and account numbers may be redacted before they become available online.

The checks will be listed under the County Auditor's portion of the Smith County website along with the budget and financial statements.

"I think the citizens deserve to have open access to records and see where the money is going," Commissioner JoAnn Fleming said after the meeting adjourned. "There is no more openness than to have your checkbook open where everybody can see it."

Prior to the vote the other commissioners agreed saying that it is another step to bring public accountability and transparency.

"It proves that we want people to see where their money is going," County Judge Joel Baker said.

The court also approved authorization of submitting a questionnaire and letter requesting a Local Government Management Assessment by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The county last underwent the audit in 1998 and implemented a series of recommendations by the state.

Commissioner Bill McGinnis said he is always open to review by independent entities that might have fresh views on procedure but warned the audit should only be received as recommendations. He said the 1998 findings were taken as "high gospel" and that "it was like everything the comptroller said was right," and that the court should proceed with Smith County in mind before implementation.

Commissioner JoAnn Hampton agreed along with the rest of the court and suggested that with progress made in recent years the review may show the county has set the benchmark other counties should follow. The commissioners hope and expect the audit will bring added efficiency to county-wide departments and services.

After the meeting Ms. Fleming, who the court appointed the project's manager, said she was in contact with the comptroller's office during the proceedings and that preliminary meetings with county department heads regarding the audit will hopefully occur this week, schedules permitting.

Other items approved on Monday include:

Payment of accounts, bills, payroll, transfer of funds, and health claims;

During a special meeting workshop at 1:30 p.m. commissioners held an executive session to discuss contractual issues related to upgrading the County's communication infrastructure and receive advice from their attorney. No action was taken.

Following the executive session commissioners discussed long-range planning and facilities planning for Smith County.

At 3:30 p.m. commissioners discussed activities and expectations of the Environmental Crimes Program and the License and Weights Program during a special workshop attended by county constables.

Ms. Hampton addressed the ongoing illegal dumping problem within the county as county constables assured her work was being done. Ms. Hampton said the trash abatement program had not shown the results that the program warranted.

Ms. Hampton said that within two years of the programs implementation little has been done to clean up problem areas or deter illegal dumpers.

"I just want to get the program on the right track," she said.

Commissioners Baker, Fleming and Van Ness approved re-hiring the former License and Weights employee within the constable's office to patrol heavy-hauling trucks, such as logging trucks and oil and gas equipment trucks, which increase wear on county roads, while Ms. Hampton and McGinnis voted against.

Ms. Fleming said many of the roads are not built to support the trucks hauling large loads and that the companies using the roads should incur some of the repair and maintenance costs.

McGinnis said the county needs the program but voted against because the court needed to investigate the matter further before taking action.