It has been just over a year since Orem city opened its Transparency Portal on the city’s website. The goal of city leadership is to let residents know the city believes that transparency is one of the pillars of good governance.

But just how many people know it’s there or are using the useful information?

“The Orem Transparency Portal was one of the very first initiatives of Mayor Young and the City Council upon taking office in January 2022,” communications manager Pete Wolfley said. “The idea from the very beginning was to make a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all things transparency. Residents shouldn’t have to scour the website looking for key pieces of information. We want it all just a few clicks away.”

Information on the portal includes the amount of construction projects being undertaken int eh city

and who has applied for future projects. While the Orem Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Hillcrest Park projects garner plenty of public attention, other work may go unnoticed by residents until it impacts their morning commute, like work being done in front of Costco on 800 South around 650 East.

In all, there are 54 construction projects, mostly interior renovations and remodels, and 17 applications under review waiting for approval.

“The OTP has helped hundreds of Orem residents this past year get more connected with their local government,” Wolfley said. “The Council Recap has been a popular feature of the portal. It shows how each council member has voted on every issue and includes a video link to the discussion surrounding that issue. Most people are too busy to come to City Council meetings so this has been a great and quick way for them to stay in the know on what’s happening in Orem.”

Not only can residents see council member’s voting records, but they can review city budgets, sales tax rate breakdowns, city codes and amendments to them, agendas and minutes. People can also request public records through the portal.

“One of the areas of focus for the City Council this year includes expanding and improving the Transparency Portal. This first year was a great start but we want it to be even better going forward by including more information while at the same time making it easier to access,” Wolfley said.

There is a resolutions and ordinances link, studies and surveys and the Utah Transparency site that gives information on employee compensation and vendors. Wolfley, who helped design the portal, invites residents to take an online tour of what city information is available.

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