Transparency and Accountability

The Challenge

Too often, city government operates behind closed doors, leaving residents feeling disconnected from the decisions that affect their daily lives. Important zoning changes, budget allocations, and policy decisions happen with minimal public input. When residents try to engage, they encounter confusing processes, limited access to information, and a sense that their voices don't matter.

This lack of transparency breeds distrust. When people don't understand how decisions are made or where their tax dollars go, they lose faith in their government. The result is low voter turnout, minimal civic engagement, and a city that doesn't fully reflect the will of its people.

Steven's Plan

• Monthly Town Hall Meetings - Hold regular town halls in different neighborhoods across Port St. Lucie, not just at City Hall. Rotate locations to make attendance convenient for all residents, with both in-person and virtual participation options.
• Open Data Dashboard - Launch a comprehensive online dashboard showing real-time city spending, contract awards, employee salaries, and key performance metrics. If the private sector can track data in real-time, so can our government.
• 24-Hour Rule - Require all city contracts, ordinances, and major decisions to be posted online for public review at least 24 hours before any vote. No more last-minute additions that bypass public scrutiny.
• Citizen Advisory Boards - Create volunteer advisory boards for major city initiatives, giving residents direct input on budgeting, planning, and policy decisions. These boards will have real influence, not just ceremonial roles.
• Plain Language Initiative - Rewrite all city communications, forms, and notices in clear, understandable language. Government shouldn't require a law degree to understand.
• Mobile City Hall - Take city services and information directly to neighborhoods through a "Mobile City Hall" program, bringing staff and resources to community centers, libraries, and events.
• Annual State of the City Address - Deliver a comprehensive, honest assessment of city progress, challenges, and financial condition directly to residents, followed by Q&A sessions.
• Whistleblower Protection - Strengthen protections for city employees who report waste, fraud, or abuse, ensuring accountability from the inside out.

Why Transparency Matters

Sunlight is the best disinfectant. When government operates in the open, corruption and waste have nowhere to hide. When residents can see how decisions are made, they can hold their leaders accountable. When people understand where their tax dollars go, they can engage meaningfully in the budgeting process.

But transparency isn't just about preventing problems, it's about building trust. When residents see their government working for them, when they feel heard and respected, they become invested in their community's success. They volunteer. They vote. They bring their ideas and energy to make Port St. Lucie better.

That's the kind of government I believe in: one that answers to the people, not the other way around.

Best Practices from Leading Cities

Port St. Lucie doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. Cities across the country are leading the way in open government:

• Austin, Texas - Open data portal with 200+ datasets and API access for developers
• Denver, Colorado - Participatory budgeting allowing residents to vote on community projects
• San Francisco, California - Plain language law requiring all public documents to be readable at an 8th-grade level
• Indianapolis, Indiana - Performance dashboards tracking city services in real-time
• Tampa, Florida - Neighborhood-specific town halls that bring government to the people

My Personal Commitment

As your Mayor, I pledge to:

• Respond personally to every resident who reaches out with a concern or question
• Hold myself and my administration accountable for measurable results
• Admit mistakes openly and correct them quickly
• Make decisions based on facts and resident input, not political convenience
• Ensure that every resident, regardless of background or political views, has a seat at the table