Start small

You don't have to be an investigator. You just have to be a curious neighbor who wants to know how our tax money is spent.

Wanting to know where public money goes is not radical, and it is not about politics. People of every point of view do it. Small questions from ordinary people help keep everyone careful with our money.

It's okay to ask

Asking questions isn't accusing anyone. Public records exist so citizens can look. Most questions have simple answers, and that's a good outcome too.

If you ever do need to report something, some offices let you do it without giving your name. For example, the Federal Trade Commission lets you report anonymously (FTC: common questions), and GAO FraudNet takes anonymous or confidential reports about federal money (GAO FraudNet). More in Can I report without giving my name?

Three easy steps

1Just look

Read your town, township, county, or school board's budget, meeting agendas, and meeting minutes. They are often posted online. If not, you can see them at the office or ask the clerk.

That's all step one is: reading. Many people stop here, and that's fine.

2Ask

If something makes you curious, ask about it. You can ask a question during the public comment time at a meeting, call or email the clerk, or send a public records request. Our sample records request letter makes that easy.

Keep it friendly and simple: "Can you help me understand this line in the budget?"

3Report, only if something still doesn't add up

If you've asked, read the answer, and something still doesn't add up, send the facts to the office whose job it is to look into it. See where to report.

Most people never need step three, and that's fine. Looking and asking are worth doing on their own.

Gentle examples to look into

Pick just one. Each one uses records that are meant for the public.

What your property tax bill pays for, line by line

Your bill is split into parts: for example schools, the county, your township or city, the library, and any extra taxes voters approved.

How to look: Look at the lines on your bill, or on your county treasurer's website. Call the treasurer's office and ask them to explain any line you don't understand.

Whether a project that got grant money was finished

Towns often get grants for roads, parks, sidewalks, or buildings. It is fair to ask whether the work got done.

How to look: Find the project in your board's meeting minutes, or on USAspending.gov for federal money. Then look at it from a public place, or ask the clerk for the final report.

What a project cost, compared to the bids

For many projects, a local government asks several companies for prices, called bids, and then picks one.

How to look: Ask the clerk for the list of bids received and the signed contract. The meeting minutes often say which bid was picked and why. The lowest price is not always picked, and there is often a good reason.

Public payroll and the list of bills paid

Many towns, counties, and school boards list the bills they paid (sometimes called a check register) with each meeting. Payroll totals are usually in the budget.

How to look: Look in the meeting packet or on the website. If it isn't there, ask the clerk or send a records request. Look at what the money paid for, not at anyone's private life.

Whether a business that got a tax break or grant is still open and hiring

Sometimes a business gets a tax break or grant because it promised to open, stay, or hire people in your area.

How to look: Ask the local board or the agency that gave the help for the agreement and the promises in it. Then compare: is the business open, and has it been hiring?

Whether a program's results match what was promised

Many public programs and agencies publish a yearly report that says what they planned and what they got done.

How to look: Read the annual report, or the yearly audit many local governments have done. Look for goals that were promised and whether the report says they were met.

Let Grok Bot help

Grok Bot can help you read a budget or write a polite question. Press Copy, then paste it into your Grok Bot app. AI helpers can make mistakes, so check the original document too.

Explain this local budget to me in plain words, as if I have never read one. What are the biggest costs, and what changed from last year? [paste the budget text or attach the document]

On an iPad or phone, you can also press and hold the words, then tap Copy.

Help me write a short, polite question for my [township, city, county, or school board] clerk. I would like to understand [what you are curious about]. Keep it friendly and do not accuse anyone.

On an iPad or phone, you can also press and hold the words, then tap Copy.

Be kind and fair

Stick to the facts you can see in the records.
Assume good intent until the records show otherwise. Mistakes and good reasons are common.
Never post accusations online. If something is wrong, tell the proper office and let them look into it.
Be friendly to clerks. They are usually the people who help you find the records.