The official elected as the state鈥檚 accountability watchdog is creating a new program to encourage better open records policies among local governments, measuring best practices for following what are known as Sunshine Laws.
Auditor Keith Faber announced the which will offer one star if the government is meeting the bare minimum on Sunshine Law requirements and offers a star for each additional best practice implemented.
"I think what it's really going to do is encourage people to be more attentive to this issue because actually someone's actually taking a look at it," says Faber.
Faber says the government scorecards can be accessed through a searchable online database. Ratings will be entered into the system starting next year.
Star Rating System:
1 Star, "Open and Transparent Government" (Meets all Sunshine Law requirements)
2 Stars, "Achievement in Open and Transparent Government" (1-2 best practices)
3 Stars, "Outstanding Achievement in Open and Transparent Government" (3-4 best practices)
4 Stars, "Highest Achievement in Open and Transparent Government" (5 or more best practices)
Zero Stars, A local government is non-compliant with Ohio's Sunshine Laws
