Pinal County rated best in state in transparency

Pinal County is the first and only Arizona county to earn an A+ for transparency in government.

Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization formed to push for transparency in government and recognize the most transparent government websites in America. This is the fifth year Pinal County has received a Sunny Award and the first year it earned an A+.

Sunshine Review rates more than 7,000 city, county and school district websites in all 50 states, giving each a grade for transparency.

The push for greater transparency in government is evident by an increase in sites earning an A grade. Nationwide there were only 35 counties to earn an A+ grade.

“Successfully passing the Sunshine Review’s rigorous 10-point checklist would not be possible without a supportive board of supervisors and a management structure that favors transparency,” Pinal County Communications Director Heather Murphy said. “The board has been clear about making the website a hub for free public access to information. (Board members) continue to challenge us to create more ways to do county business through the website.”

Michael Barnhart, president of Sunshine Review, said the Sunny Awards recognize governments that make transparency a priority.

“We congratulate Pinal County for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation,” he said.

County bids, proposals and RFQs are listed on the website, as well as a searchable database of contracts the county has with its vendors, Murphy said.

The county’s site also hosts financial reports, including monthly expenditure reports, campaign finance reports and searchable tax information and much more.

“In fact, members of the public can pull up all the same back-up information for agenda items that the board members see before they vote,” Murphy said.