Resident urges Dunn County to publish clearer department budgets and grants data online

A Dunn County resident used the public‑comment period to urge the county to publish clearer department‑level budget information online so residents can see where grant and project dollars are allocated.

Candace Kleeman said she struggled to find line‑item detail and named specific items she could not locate in the posted budget: payments to the Dunn County museum, Mountain View shooting range funding and status of the Dunn County Roundup money. She said a ClearGov presentation previously suggested the system would provide easy, department‑level views and graphs; Kleeman asked whether the county could publish more detailed department budgets so residents could ask informed questions.

County staff responses and context Several county staff and the chair responded that preliminary and final budget documents differ, and that the board’s meeting video and minutes are available. Staff explained some departments’ line items are entered manually and that certain reports require extra data entry; staff also said two of the state’s 53 counties publish unofficial minutes due to meeting frequency, and confirmed the public may view recorded meeting video as a reference.

Why this matters Clear, accessible budget documents make it easier for taxpayers to identify how public funds are used and to ask targeted questions about programs and grants. The commenter requested that staff consider publishing department budgets and grant details in a format similar to the ClearGov demonstration discussed at a prior workshop.

What the board said The chair thanked the commenter and moved on to scheduled reports; staff indicated they would follow up about whether more department information can be made available online.