In 2008, non-profit organization Sunshine Review created a 10 Point Transparency Checklist to help take the aforementioned buzzword 'transparency' and turn it into a tangible and achievable goal with benchmarks to help guide progress. It's been hugely impactful, local governments coast-to-coast have used this checklist has a guide to improve the public's access to online information via their website. But in 2015, is this checklist in need of some updating? Have a look at the original below. You'll find a below suggested updates beneath the table.
| Parameter | Description | Rationale |
| Budgets | The website should include the current budget. Bonus points if the website shows the budgets for previous years and a graph showing increases or decreases over time to help citizens evaluate and understand trends in local government spending. The checkbook register and credit card receipts should also be posted. | Budgets show the big picture of what goals and priorities the government established for the year. Additionally, the details within a state budget serve as a comparative tool to determine how the government performed in relation to past years. |
| Open Meeting Laws | The website should include notices about public meetings of its governing board and minutes of past meetings. Also, meeting agendas for future and/or past meetings should be available. | Meetings are one of the few ways the public can engage in true dialogue with representatives. Given the reality of busy schedules, governments should offer an alternative to meeting attendance by posting meetings, agendas, locations and minutes on their website. |
| Elected Officials | The website should include names of elected officials and their contact information, including email addresses. Also, the elected official's voting record should be available. | Officials are elected to represent their constituents. In order to do so effectively they should be engaged in regular dialogue and be as accessible as possibly by providing a variety of ways to be contacted (email, phone, fax, by mail, for example). |
| Administrative Officials | The website should feature a list of administrative officials. Specifically, it should include the names of key administrators and their contact information, including e-mail addresses. | Administrative staff are knowledgeable resources that provide constituent services and often enforce ordinances. Because of these roles it is imperative for them to be available to constituents by providing contact information to the heads of each department, in addition to general contact information. |
| Building Permits and Zoning | At the very least, building permit and zoning applications should be available for download online. In addition, constituents should be able to submit applications and track the process online. | Almost all government application processes are already digitized. By facilitating the process online government could cut down on cost and time barriers as well as improve communication and services to their constituents. |
| Audits | The website should include regular audit information including: report results, audit schedules and performance audits for government programs. | While budgets give the big picture to constituents, an audit reveals how well the government performs on their goals and enables constituents to hold them accountable. |
| Contracts | The website should include rules governing contracts posted online; including bids and contracts for purchases of more than $10,000, and the vendor's campaign contributions posted with contract. | Contracts should be available for review so constituents can evaluate the contract and evaluate if the government chose the best solution for its constituents. |
| Lobbying | If the unit of government belongs to any government sector lobbying associations that it helps to fund by paying association or membership dues, that information should be disclosed on the government agency's website. | Almost all government entities have lobbyists on retainer or are members of an association that lobbies on their behalf. Making this information available can help constituents determine if the actions benefit the community. |
| Public Records | The website should include the name of the person who is in charge of fulfilling open records requests, along with contact information. | The government is obligated by law to answer FOIA requests. By posting an individual contact, it creates an avenue which should ease the way for constituents to file their requests. |
| Taxes | The website should include a central location for all tax information, including state fees such as drivers' licenses, tax documents for all elected officials, and each agencies sources of revenue. | Disclosing tax burdens accurately reflects the cost of living. |
4 Important Updates for 2015
1. Elected Officials
In 'this day and age' of social media providing an elected official's phone number and email on a local government website is really just a start. Local governments should include links to council members' professional social media accounts, especially as they try to engage more younger voters. With increasing frequency, elected officials are using Twitter, Facebook and other social platforms to engage with citizens and provide updates on city business.
2. Public Records
In 2015 citizens don't just expect to be able to contact the person responsible for records requests, they expect to be able to access public records themselves. Organizations that have implemented paperless records management software are reaping the benefits, as online access to a searchable records database has the double-benefit or improving transparency and reducing the number of requests staff are fulfilling.
3. Open Meeting Laws
Posting agendas and minutes online with links to supporting documents is a great move forward for local governments. However, with more and more content on the internet being consumed via streaming video, the level of openness organizations should strive for is video/audio streaming of Council Meetings online. Furthermore, by archiving meeting recordings the public will have access to debates and discussions on the issues that matter to them, which takes the concept of open, inclusive government a step forward!
4. Mobile
In 2014, mobile use of the internet surpassed use on a traditional desktop or laptop computer (here's a study to prove it). Posting documents, records and updating your website is one thing. But if information isn't easy to access on a smartphone because your website isn't mobile friendly, or the agendas and records are in PDF format on your website, then a growing number of visitors won't have access!