Residents press Caldwell council on public‑records policy and city budget concerns during public comment

Caldwell — During the public comment portion of the May 5 council meeting, two residents urged policy changes on public records and raised long‑term budget concerns tied to growth.

Tammy Dittenberg, a Caldwell resident, told the council she has submitted public‑records requests and read from records that, she said, show elected officials using private email and social media to conduct city business. “Public records are those created or received by public officials that by virtue of their existence belong to the people,” Dittenberg said. She urged the council to adopt a policy that clarifies how council members should engage with staff and how elected‑official communications on personal devices and platforms will be handled. Dittenberg suggested a policy barring indemnification for officials who refuse to comply with public‑records law or who conduct city business outside city‑issued platforms; she also recommended banning personal cell phones from the dais.

Jean Craig, another resident, addressed the city’s budget practices and the city’s reliance on property taxes. Craig said the city should avoid overrelying on variable revenue sources and that personnel and hiring practices have driven salary increases and budgetary pressures. “It seems to be a vicious cycle,” she said, urging caution and stronger fiscal controls.

Why it matters: Council members heard community requests for clearer rules about how elected officials use private communications platforms and for fiscal restraint as the city grows. The comments highlighted potential legal and operational risks tied to informal communications and staff time spent responding to records requests.

Ending: Council did not take immediate policy action during the meeting; staff and the council indicated they would consider the points and may return with options for policy or administrative changes.