Greer Calls for Spending Transparency

The Upstate city of Greer announced this week it is working with Comptroller Richard Eckstrom to post city financial records online.

Greer joins the rapidly growing list of local governments across the state establishing spending transparency websites at virtually no cost.

Anderson and Charleston counties are already online, as are the cities of Aiken, Cayce, Irmo and Turbeville. Officials from the city of Columbia, South Congaree and Dorchester County have committed to transparency, but have yet to place records online.

Click here to visit the Comptroller General's local government spending transparency website

Greer Mayor Pro Tem Wryley Bettis told the Greenville News the city has no problem posting records online because it aids transparency and builds public trust in elected officials.

Greer Mayor Rick Danner said he supports the idea in principle, but has some concerns posting information will lead to a flood of questions. However, practice has shown that not to be the case. Comptroller Eckstrom said Anderson County has actually seen a drop in calls since the launch of its transparency website.

The city's announcement comes two weeks after mayors of three other Upstate cities publicly announced their opposition to spending transparency. The mayors of Fountain Inn, Mauldin and Simpsonville are fighting efforts by some of their council members to put public spending records online.

Citizens have the right to public records under the state Freedom of Information Act, but a 2008 Policy Council study found local governments demanding thousands of dollars in copying and labor fees in order to make information available. This effectively bars the public from obtaining public records, whereas a transparency website makes this information freely available.