Transparency is the cornerstone of trust in government. As a Mount Pleasant Town Councilmember, I believe residents deserve a clear view into how their tax dollars are spent. That’s why I spearheaded a policy to make all Town expenditures easily accessible online. Here’s how it unfolded:
March 3, 2025 — Starting the Conversation
At the Finance Committee meeting, I formally requested that financial transparency be added to the agenda. The proposal: require all expenditures of $150 or more to be posted on the Town’s website. This was the first step in moving transparency from an idea to official policy discussion.
May 5, 2025 — Funding the Initiative
During the Budget Committee meeting, I made a motion to set aside $10,000 as a budget placeholder so that staff could build and maintain a financial reporting system. This ensured the initiative had the resources it needed to succeed.
June 2, 2025 — Committee Recommendation
The Finance Committee reviewed the details and voted to recommend a “manual reporting process” for publishing Town expenditures. The recommendation excluded wages, mileage, and per diem reimbursements but called for all other transactions to be shared publicly.
June 10, 2025 — Town Council Approval
The full Town Council approved the recommendation, directing staff to develop a monthly manual report of all General Fund operating expenses with no minimum dollar amount. Reports would be published in both Excel and PDF formats for ease of access.
This was a major milestone: for the first time, Mount Pleasant committed to proactively publishing its expenditures on a monthly basis.
Today — Transparency in Action
Residents can now visit the Town’s website and review the latest reports directly:
👉 Mount Pleasant Transparency Reports
Each report details operating expenses line by line, making Mount Pleasant one of the most transparent municipalities in South Carolina.
Why It Matters
- Accountability: Residents can see how every dollar is spent.
- Trust: Open records reduce barriers and strengthen community confidence.
- Leadership: Mount Pleasant is setting an example for local governments across the state.
Looking Ahead
I’m proud to have spearheaded this effort and grateful to my colleagues for supporting it. But transparency is only the beginning. As your representative, I will continue to push for policies that strengthen accountability and ensure Mount Pleasant remains a community built on trust and openness.
