Transparency Week: Brendan K. Maginnis’ Plan to Restore Trust in Charlotte

As a Democratic candidate for Mayor of Charlotte, I’m launching Transparency Week to share my vision for a city government that is open, accountable, and responsive to every Charlottean. Our city, home to nearly 890,000 residents, deserves leadership that rebuilds trust eroded by recent controversies, such as the secretive $300,000 settlement with former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. These incidents, coupled with criticisms from local leaders like Tariq Bokhari, Braxton Winston, and Victoria Watlington, highlight the urgent need for change. My comprehensive plan, inspired by proven models from cities like Oakland, Chicago, New York, and Seattle, centers on two key pillars: a Transparency Pledge and a Charlotte Accountability Commission. Together, they will ensure City Hall works for you, not hidden interests. Join me to create a Charlotte where trust is the foundation of governance. #TrustCharlotte #CharlotteMayor2025

The Erosion of Trust in Charlotte

Charlotte’s government has faced a turbulent year, with controversies that have shaken public confidence. In May 2025, the city agreed to a $300,000 settlement with former Police Chief Johnny Jennings, reportedly tied to allegations of feeling threatened by former Council Member Tariq Bokhari. As reported by WFAE, the city’s refusal to disclose details, with interim City Attorney Anthony Fox stating that discussing it publicly would be a crime, left residents in the dark about how taxpayer dollars were spent. This lack of transparency fueled perceptions of a cover-up, with Bokhari’s wife, Krista, alleging “illegal and unethical behavior” by Mayor Vi Lyles and council members (WCNC, May 2025). Similarly, the indictment of Council Member Tiawana Brown for wire fraud, involving $124,000 in misused COVID-era business loans, including $15,000 spent on a birthday party, further damaged trust (WFAE, May 2025). The $650M Bank of America Stadium deal in 2024, criticized for prioritizing corporate interests over community needs, added to the narrative of “Chaos City,” as described by WFAE’s Tommy Tomlinson (May 2025).

Local leaders have voiced alarm. Council Member Victoria Watlington, in a May 29, 2025, email, called out a “brazen disregard for the law” in the Jennings settlement, demanding an external investigation due to concerns about the integrity of city-led probes (WFAE, June 2025). Council Member Braxton Winston, a longtime advocate for police transparency, criticized the city’s handling of cases like Danquirs Franklin’s, stating, “We were not transparent” (Charlotte Observer, 2023). Former Council Member Tariq Bokhari, before resigning in March 2025 to join the Trump administration, decried the Democratic supermajority’s opaque decision-making, particularly on financial deals (Charlotte Observer, 2023). These criticisms, echoed by nearly half of Charlotte’s Republican and unaffiliated voters who feel sidelined (Charlotte Observer, 2022), underscore the need for a new approach. While specific trust surveys are unavailable, national trends show local government trust declining from 71% in 2007 to 63% in 2020 (Pew Research Center), and Charlotte’s controversies likely mirror this decline.

The Transparency Pledge

To rebuild trust, I’m introducing the Transparency Pledge, a commitment to openness that addresses these controversies head-on. The pledge includes five actionable steps:

1. Full Disclosure of Meetings: Within 24 hours, I will publicly disclose all meetings with lobbyists, developers, and major stakeholders, logging details (date, time, attendees, purpose) in a searchable database on Charlotte’s Open Data Portal data.charlottenc.gov. This ensures transparency on decisions impacting our $784M General Fund budget, including deals like the $650M stadium investment.

2. Independent Oversight: The Charlotte Accountability Commission, detailed below, will have the power to review major decisions, ensuring no repeat of secretive settlements.

3. Community Engagement: Quarterly “Council on the Road” meetings and monthly Community Policy Council forums, inspired by Seattle, will give residents a direct voice in shaping policies on housing, safety, and more.

4. Real-Time Financial Transparency: A Charlotte Checkbook platform, modeled after New York City, will disclose all contracts and payments in real time, preventing hidden deals like the Jennings settlement.

5. Transparency Scorecard: Partnering with nonprofits like Sustain Charlotte, I’ll launch a scorecard rating council members on openness, inspired by Chicago, to hold leaders accountable.

This pledge responds to Watlington’s call for integrity and Winston’s push for transparency, ensuring Charlotteans know who influences their government.

The Charlotte Accountability Commission

A cornerstone of my plan is the Charlotte Accountability Commission, inspired by Oakland’s Police Commission, established in 2016 to oversee police policies and misconduct. This independent body, composed of diverse community members including representatives from marginalized groups, will have subpoena power to review major city decisions, such as police settlements, contracts, and economic development deals. For example, it could investigate the $300,000 Jennings settlement or the $650M stadium deal to ensure public funds are used transparently. The commission will publish annual reports and hold public hearings, addressing Watlington’s concern about “brazen disregard for the law” by providing external oversight. By including youth, minority communities, and business leaders, the commission will reflect Charlotte’s diversity, fostering trust across all 890,000 residents.

A Call to Action

Transparency Week is just the beginning. My plan also includes enhancing the Open Data Portal with real-time budget updates ($317.6M for police, $21.6M for housing in 2023), launching a $5M participatory budgeting pilot inspired by Greensboro, and hosting community forums to empower residents. These measures, drawn from successful models in other cities, respond to Bokhari’s critique of opaque financial decisions and Winston’s demand for police accountability. To quantify trust, I’ll commission a citywide survey through the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, building on their 30-year Charlotte-Mecklenburg Annual Survey.Charlotte deserves a government that listens, discloses, and delivers. Join me this Transparency Week to learn more and share your ideas for a trustworthy City Hall. Visit www.maginnisformayor.com to sign up, endorse the Transparency Pledge, and help shape our city’s future.

Together, we can rebuild trust and create a Charlotte where every voice matters. #TrustCharlotte #CharlotteMayor2025

Brendan K. Maginnis