Transparency Checklist

In July 2013, Ballotpedia acquired content from the nonprofit Sunshine Review as a starting point to launch a municipal government project.

Sunshine Review

Sunshine Review was a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. The Sunshine Review wiki collected and shared transparency information and used a "10-point Transparency Checklist" to evaluate the content of every state and more than 5,000 local government websites. Sunshine Review collaborated with individuals and organizations throughout America, according to its website, "in the cause of an informed citizenry and an accountable government."

Sunshine Review's "Transparency Checklist" analyzed websites for information about budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, bid awards, lobbying, public records, and taxes. The "Checklist" measures what content is available on government websites against what should be provided.

Transparency Checklist

• Budget: Current Budget Information
• Meetings: 
  • Full Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas
  • Committee Meeting Minutes and Agendas
• Elected Officials: 
  • Board of Commissioners
  • Elected Offices
  • Courts
• Administrative Officials: 
  • All County Departments
  • County Directory
• Permits, Zoning: Permits and Zoning
• Audits: 
  • Current and Archived Audits
  • Current and Archived Financial Reports
• Bid Awards
• Lobbying: Current Lobbying Affiliations
• Public Records: 
  • FOIA Officer
  • FOIA Policy and Procedure Guide (PDF)
  • FOIA Request Form (PDF)
• Local Taxes: 
  • County Settlement Data
  • Tax Reports
  • Property Tax Search
    (The online property tax search is only available by creating an account. Your account will be linked to your parcel. You will be able to view the parcels you own at no charge.)