TransparencyOn October 28, 2009 the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2009-205 establishing a County transparency policy in furtherance of its goals of open government and transparency. The resolution established a policy of disclosing relevant government information "as quickly as possible in forms the public can readily find and use ..." and providing for regular release of information in paper form, through audio and video broadcasts, through the County's Internet website, through County's Public Information Specialist and through in-person communication. The Board of County Commissioners amended Resolution 2009-205 on May 31, 2011 with Resolution 2011- 72 to modify the requirements for the broadcasting of public meetings contained within the County Transparency Policy to reflect the results of the County Priorities Survey. In further pursuit of the goal of open and transparent government, the Board of County Commissioners desires to establish a web-based "Sunshine Information Section" to improve the public instant internet access to County budgets, contracts, expenditures, revenue and other information. Resolution 2011- 26 enacted the web-based County Sunshine Public Information Section that provides public access to County Contracts, Employee Positions and Hourly Rates, the County Checkbook Register, and other important public information. The Resolution passed unanimously at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting on February 22, 2011. Visit the Santa Fe County Sunshine Information Section » In March 2008, Santa Fe County government initiated a transparency improvement program. As part of the program, the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County created a committee to conduct transparency audits of the County and make recommendations based on the audits.The Transparency Report is their findings and recommendations. Download Transparency Report » Website Transparency
Santa Fe County received a Sunshine Award in 2013 and 2012 for the Santa Fe County website from the national nonprofit organization, Sunshine Review. The award honors the most transparent government websites in the nation. Santa Fe County earned the top grade of an A+ in the grading system. Over 6,000 websites are reviewed and analyzed by editors at Sunshine Review of which 214 from across the nation were selected for the award. Over the course of two years Santa Fe County improved the original D- grade to an A+ with the Sunshine Review organization. In 2011 Santa Fe County received an A- from the organization. View the Santa Fe County Report Card » Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. Sunshine Review collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Contact UsSanta Fe County government is always looking for suggestions and public input on how we can be more transparent! Please email any comments, suggestions, areas of improvement or just email to let us know if you like something we are doing. Kristine Mihelcic, Public Information Specialist |
