What is LADWP's policy regarding public transparency?

LADWP's policy regarding public transparency emphasizes the importance of openly sharing operations, budgets, and performance metrics with the public. This approach is geared towards accountability, fostering community trust, and ensuring that residents are informed about how their utility operates and how decisions are made. By making such information accessible, LADWP aligns with best practices for public agencies, which often prioritize transparency to enhance civic engagement and encourage informed discussions within the community regarding utility services.

In contrast, limiting information to stakeholders only would exclude the wider public from understanding utility operations, which could diminish accountability. Similarly, maintaining confidentiality for competitive advantage is generally contrary to public utility operations that are meant to serve the community's interests. Lastly, providing information only during public hearings would severely restrict the public's access to critical data and operational insights, ultimately undermining the goals of transparency and community involvement. This policy supports a collaborative relationship between the utility and the community it serves, ensuring that residents are kept informed and engaged.