Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the City of Round Rock as the latest local government entity to achieve specific transparency goals through the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program. The City received a star in the area of Economic Development, awarded to entities whose websites inform taxpayers about publicly funded programs and incentives designed to attract industry and investment, create jobs and otherwise grow the economy.

Transparency Stars recognizes local government entities that provide easy online access to important financial data.

“I want to congratulate The City of Round Rock for its ongoing work in making its economic development efforts more transparent for taxpayers,” Hegar said. “This effort achieves the goals set by my office’s Transparency Stars program. With this achievement, Round Rock has taken an important step toward improving access to essential information.”

The Comptroller’s office launched the Transparency Stars program in March 2016 to recognize cities, counties, school districts and special purpose districts making important strides toward greater government transparency. After receiving a Traditional Finances star, local entities can go on to apply in other areas, for up to five stars:

• Traditional Finances
• Contracts and Procurement
• Economic Development
• Public Pensions
• Debt Obligations

After receiving an initial star for Traditional Finances in April 2017, Debt Obligations in July 2017, and now Economic Development, the city will apply for the remaining two stars: Contracts and Procurement and Public Pensions.

For more information on the program, including specific guidelines and information on how to apply, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website.