County Council to iron out specifics of posting finances
Aiken County Council will consider the specifics of posting financial transactions online Tuesday.
Council is expected to approve the resolution as part of its regular consent agenda.
The information available to the public will be all of Aiken County's accounts payable transactions, all transactions conducted with purchasing and a chart of accounts to be used in identifying the type of transaction.
Data will be updated on a monthly basis, if not more frequently.
When the website goes live, the financial transactions posted will start from that day forward.
Staff members estimate that the public can begin viewing the data as early as Nov. 1.
Information not posted includes that which is protected under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act, such as specific payroll information, information pertaining to transactions specifically excluded for economic development activities and information protected by attorney/client privilege.
"We already have the annual budget information and audit information online; this is just adding another piece," said Councilman Gary Bunker.
There will be a link on the website for users to submit questions about the financial data, which will be forwarded first to County Administrator Clay Killian's e-mail then directed to the appropriate department for a response.
Depending on the information they are requesting, users might be asked to submit the request in writing under the guidelines of the S.C. Freedom of Information Act.
In other business Tuesday, Council will give second reading and public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would allow Animal Control to humanely euthanize feral animals.
The proposal reads that all animals impounded or surrendered to the County Animal Shelter and deemed to be wild or feral and without any identifiable indicators of ownership shall be disposed of to prevent potential injury or the spread of disease.
The ordinance references South Carolina state law which allows wildlife officers to humanely dispose of dogs deemed to be feral (a dog which has reverted to a wild state) if they are a threat to the lives and health of livestock, humans and wildlife.
The ordinance was returned to the Animal Control Advisory Board last month for its review.
Council will also consider a proposed ordinance on the enlargement of the Valley Public Service Authority's service area.
Aiken County Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in chambers located at 736 Richland Ave.