Wicomico County Eyes Database To Improve Transparency

SALISBURY – Wicomico County is following in the footsteps of many other local governments seeking greater transparency by approving funds for a new Citizen Transparency database.

A resolution making a supplemental appropriation from Contingency to the Department of Finance in the amount of $17,500 came before the County Council on Tuesday morning to fulfill the desire for heightening transparency.

The resolution states, “The Executive, Council and Citizens of Wicomico County have expressed a desire for greater transparency in government. The Finance Department has been preparing and posting a series of financial reports to the County’s webpage on a periodic basis, which provide interested consumers with a substantial amount of fiscal information in fixed report formats. The County’s accounting software provider, Tyler Technologies has recognized the nationwide demand for greater transparency in local government and has developed a near real-time, cloud based data reporting module that will allow citizens to access MUNIS financial data, graphs and charts directly from the County’s website. The Executive [County Executive Bob Culver] desires to replace the current report oriented financial reporting process with a dynamic, interactive and searchable source of financial information for both citizens, vendors and elected officials.”

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