A candidate for Jefferson County treasurer speaking during public comment said the treasurer's office has been "unfairly targeted and criticized" in commissioners' meetings and salary-board meetings, and described filing a Right-to-Know request for a county strategic management plan prepared by HRG.

"I'm running for treasurer because I believe in openness, integrity, and responsibility," the candidate (identified in the transcript as Miss Meyer) said, urging voters to "be informed, to be thoughtful, and be fair" when they cast ballots on Nov. 4.

Miss Meyer said she sought the HRG strategic management plan because the document had not been released to the public or to other county offices and that her Right-to-Know request produced a report she described as containing recommendations and interview-based findings. She said the treasurer's office itself had no audit findings in the Auditor General's compliance audit but suggested other county offices, including the clerk of courts, had notable findings.

A commissioner responded that Auditor General compliance audits are publicly posted on the Auditor General's website and that county staff receive notifications for audits. The commissioner said the HRG report had been submitted to the county on June 5, 2023, and referenced a June 13, 2023, county press release announcing acceptance of the HRG strategic management plan.

Why it matters: public comments from a county office candidate raised questions about transparency, record availability and how county audits and internal reviews have been shared with staff and the public. Commissioners and the candidate referenced public documents (Auditor General report, HRG strategic management plan) that are part of county oversight and public records.

No formal board action followed the public comment; commissioners acknowledged the candidate's remarks and discussed public availability of audit reports.