Comptroller’s Government Transparency Program Adds New Award Category
May 2024 | Lisa Minton
Comptroller Glenn Hegar presents the Open Government and Compliance Transparency Star to representatives of Tarrant Regional Water District in March. The new star category debuted earlier this year.
Transparency fosters accountability and provides information not only on the taxes and fees collected by government but also on how government spends that money. A 2023 report by CivicPlus, a government technology company, indicates more than 82 percent of the 16,000 residents surveyed nationwide consider local government transparency essential.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar promotes transparency at both the state and local levels, working with local governments to develop resources that provide easy access to information on their revenue, spending, debt and other areas of public finance.
One initiative that encourages openness in local governments is the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program, which recognizes Texas cities, counties, school districts, community colleges and special purpose districts that provide online access to their financial documents and data.
Participating local governments may earn up to six stars — one star for each of the following categories:
Traditional Finances.
Contracts and Procurement.
Economic Development.
Public Pensions.
Debt Obligations.
Open Government and Compliance.
The sixth star for Open Government and Compliance debuted earlier this year, and five entities have received this recognition to date — Tarrant Regional Water District, Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2, City of McKinney, City of Jersey Village and City of Gainesville. From the inception of the Transparency Stars initiative in 2016 through May 30, 2024, the Comptroller has recognized 222 local governments and awarded 437 stars.
Transparency Stars Awarded, by Category and Local Entity
Local Government
Traditional Finances
Contracts and Procurement
Economic Development
Public Pensions
Debt Obligations
Open Government and Compliance
Total
Cities and Towns
87
17
16
35
46
3
203
School Districts
95
11
0
1
46
0
153
Counties
15
3
2
7
8
0
35
Special Districts
21
3
1
4
10
2
41
Community Colleges
2
0
1
0
1
0
4
Total
220
34
20
47
111
5
437
Note: Data from inception of program in 2016 through May 30, 2024
Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Data Analysis and Transparency Division
A REVIEW OF THE TEXAS ECONOMY