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Transparency and Accountability

Open Government is the governing doctrine which maintains that citizens have the right to access the documents and proceedings of the government to allow for effective public oversight in how business is being conducted and where tax dollars are being spent.

  • Upgraded website to improve access to documents, sign up for notifications, leave a concern, and more.

  • Financial Documents posted online for the past 3 years including Audit, tax levy sheets and budget. 

  • Creation of a Budget calendar and available online. 

  • Financial document showing spending breakdown by department

  • Promotion of creating a County Wide Financial Operations Manual to add strong policy to protect taxpayers money, create efficiencies and improve the use and accuracy of our financial management program.

  • Continue to improve our budget process to be more detailed

Meeting
Parade
Meeting

Vote November 5th!

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Accessibility

  • Post agendas weekly on Facebook

  • Added Live meetings on YouTube and archived for later viewing

  • Added agendas and meeting minutes on website

  • Made meetings available via Zoom

  • Moved Commission meetings to a larger room to give availability for more citizens to attend meetings

  • Promote accessibility by phone, Facebook, email, or messenger

  • Added "Book an Appointment Online" with the new no wait feature

"I am committed to change in Osage County supporting sensible solutions that make a difference to keep us moving forward."

Heather Kuder
Certificate
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Advocate for the Taxpayer

  • Remained Revenue neutral for three years when approving the budget.

  • Lowered the mill levy each year to offset the increase in assessed property values to generate the same amount of dollars as the previous year.

  • Attended Annual County Day at the Capital for three years

  • Attended Annual Local Government for two years

  • Attended the Kansas Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exhibition

  • Kansas Association of Counties- Fundamentals of County Government Budgets

  • Loyd Group- KMAG class to learn how to effectively read county audits and budget

  • The county gifted a Grant writing class conducted by the K-State Extension Department. Close to 70 people attended from multiple cities and entities around the area.

  • East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging board member for three years.

  • Educating the public on how to read the RNR notification and encourage attendance at budget hearings.

  • CDBG Grant Award for $250,000 for repairs to the Osage County Main and Lateral for the Sail-A-Away housing area.

  • Charter Resolution to improve timely tax collections and to decrease the number of properties being on the delinquent tax list for the Property tax sale.

  • Promotion of the Office of Rural Prosperity connecting cities and organizations with economic opportunities through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

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