Transparency as a Core Principle

For over a decade, Oklahoma has shifted toward greater government accountability, with initiatives like LOFT setting the standard. LOFT’s mission is to deliver “timely, objective, factual, non-partisan, and easily understood information” to support informed decision-making. Its work includes analyzing government performance, identifying waste, and recommending operational improvements. OGET would follow suit.

OGET: Local Accountability

While Tulsa County maintains several online portals for public information, there’s currently no centralized system tracking the progress of county programs. OGET aims to fill that gap, offering a user-friendly dashboard to keep both officials and residents informed.

Commissioner Sims emphasized that OGET aligns with national and state efforts, including President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Oklahoma’s LOFT program. “It’s about efficiency, accountability, and making sure government works for the people—not the other way around,” Sims added.

Commissioner Kelly Dunkerley agreed with Sims’ OGET proposal saying,

“There’s a real need to provide more transparency and better access to information for citizens for awareness and to increase trust in how tax dollars are being utilized to improve roads, support public safety and enhance economic opportunities.”

The draft description of OGET highlights its mission to advance “transparency, performance, cost-effectiveness, and service quality of county operations,” with a focus on collaboration and streamlined processes. So far all three county commissioners have verbally said they will support this proposal for transparency.

But back in December, we uncovered a plot where former Democrat Commissioner Karen Keith was working with Commissioner Stan Sallee (R) to create a new position to keep her Chief Deputy, a liberal Democrat, employed at the county, that was not transparent. It was a behind-the-scenes effort to keep Rea in a salaried position after both Keith’s and Rea’s failed elections removed them from their roles.

SEE ALSO: Tulsa County Hiring Questioned

Now, weeks later, some of Sallee’s actions seem to be standing against retooling an existing government liaison position to be focused on transparency and efficiency, similar to President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

However, after a call to his office Sallee issued the statement, “Like President Trump and Elon Musk, I support continued efforts to review operations and provide better efficiency in county government.

“Since being elected, I continue to work with our state auditors and elected officials in reviewing all departments for efficiency and transparency. I welcome any additional audits and reviews.”

As discussions continue, we will watch for the outcome of this new office from Commissioners Stan Sallee, Lonnie Sims, and Kelly Dunkerley in upcoming meetings and whether they will follow with the creation of OGET and making Tulsa County a model for local government transparency in Oklahoma.