NC county Web site lets citizens track spending

RALEIGH — Citizens in a North Carolina county now have a Web site that allows them to track government spending, from travel and welfare costs to the county manager’s postage bill.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday that Wake County’s new system was started after excessive travel costs were revealed last year. Two managers lost their jobs because of the spending.

The system is called WATCH, or Wake Accountability Tax Check.

County officials say there are only a few similar systems around the country. County Commissioner Joe Bryan says the site will serve the citizens’ desire for transparent government.

Most government information is public, but it can take days or weeks to get it after making a written request. Now in Wake County, it just takes the click of a mouse.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)