City of Eau Claire

Despite the increased distrust of government in general, local government is historically the level of government that people trust the most. There is a reason for that. People recognize the faces, can attend Council meetings, and serve on boards on commissions.

That is why the seeming increased turmoil between people and local government is unfortunate. Though, you have to understand where the citizen is coming from.

We’ve experienced extreme inflation post-COVID, and a dollar does not go as far as it once did. As I write this, the price of diesel is the highest it has ever been. While it’s true the stock market has performed well, that only benefits those with a robust stock portfolio and does not help us with our month-to-month living expenses. With more people struggling to make ends meet, it makes sense that they care about how their tax dollars are going to be spent. Despite the current zeitgeist, a radical focus on transparency and public engagement is the solution to mending ties and returning the local government sphere to a place of respect between community members and public servants.

This means welcoming any and all public feedback with a smile and gratitude that we are in the position to interact with the public for the good of the community.

As a general rule of thumb in government, where there is a lack of light, people will expect the worst. It is imperative to be forthcoming with information, proactively communicating at every step. But what else can we do? The details about how we communicate and who we communicate with are just as important as the words we use.

Designing Local Projects Around Community Needs

Who are the key stakeholders when a decision is going to be made or a project begins? Of course, it is important to go through the proper boards and commissions and the proper bureaucratic process, but what about the groups of people who are not typically sought out for feedback, like neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and people who are actually going to use the trail, park, or pavilion?

We should begin with the end in mind. When designs are finalized and decisions are made, we should have put as much effort into reaching the community as we do into the implementation of the project. Community engagement is what builds the foundation.

As an example, as a local project was getting wrapped up, we reached back to feedback that was received at the beginning of the development process to figure out how to spend remaining funds. We were able to construct a sepak takraw court, which is a game that has increased in popularity due to the local Hmong population.

“When people know you, they are much more likely to trust that you will be a good steward of the tax dollar.”

That is what community engagement can look like. It can be as  simple as listening to the people who will actually use the things we are building and having those people in mind throughout every part of the project.

Another way to increase trust is by being a part of the community. Going to the special events around town, coaching Little League, volunteering with Scouts, truly having a presence in the community. When people know you, they are much more likely to trust that you will be a good steward of the tax dollar. The equity you can build by making connections in the community goes a long way to build trust.

Lastly, we must embrace our roles as public servants and the near-sacred role we play as stewards of the tax dollar. A gracious outlook on the tough work we do helps to maintain optimism.

Leading Local Government Through Presence, Transparency, and Trust

Tough times are inevitable. Disagreements are going to happen, we are going to get criticized, and sometimes people lash out irrationally. That is all part of the job.

But local government has an opportunity that other levels of government or lines of profession do not have. We have the ability to interact directly with the people we serve. We see them at the grocery store and we see them at community events. They can come to a Council meeting, call us, email us, or simply stop and talk to us. That should be embraced!

To rebuild trust, the answer is not to shy away. It is to engage more with the public. Communicate proactively and be transparent. Seek out the people who are going to be affected by our decisions. Be present in the community.

Most importantly, remember that we are public servants. We have been entrusted with the responsibility of spending someone else’s money for the betterment of the community.

That is an enormous responsibility, and it is also a privilege that we should treat with gratitude and reverence.