The Washington County Board of Supervisors makes government accessible for elected officials and companies being awarded government contracts.

Are you a parent? A student? Do you have a job? Sorry, you’re not in their club.

Here are some easy and cheap (if not free) solutions they can implement TODAY to make government transparent for all.

  • The Board meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for the average resident of Washington County to make it.

    Solution: Host a Board meeting in the evening once-a-month. This allows those who work jobs or care for kids or go to school to attend meetings.

  • Didn’t make it to a meeting but want to watch? You’re out of luck.

    The Board does not post recordings of their weekly meetings online, as is the standard across Iowa and the nation.

    Solution: Record the Zoom call of the weekly meetings and post to Youtube. It’s free and takes only a few minutes.

  • The Auditor does a great job of taking minutes of Board meetings. However, if there was an important contract signed or report given, these are not available online.

    In fact, one must go to the Auditor’s Office in-person to get a copy.

    Solution: Attach all supporting documentation to the minutes of public meetings online. This is low-cost, potentially free, and reasonable.

  • The Board reserves some time for public comment at every meeting. Their official policy states: “Comment limited to agenda items only”.

    There is no statute requiring the Board to offer the opportunity for public comment. Likewise, there is no statute regulating how public comment must work.

    Public comment policy is 100% at the Chair’s discretion.

    If you want to speak on an issue that’s important, but is not on the agenda that day, too bad.


    Solution: Change the public comment policy to allow anyone to speak on any topic.

    Let the people speak!