**Texas Comptroller Enhances Local Government Financial Transparency**
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is spearheading ongoing initiatives to boost financial transparency among the state's local governmental entities, ensuring taxpayers have ready access to information regarding their tax dollars. These efforts mandate that cities, counties, school districts, and special purpose districts publicly disclose comprehensive financial data.
Local governments are required to post detailed budgets, expenditures, and all forms of debt on their websites. This includes information on outstanding debt, newly incurred debt, and propositions for new bond issues. Citizens can typically find this data directly on the respective local government websites, or through the Comptroller’s dedicated transparency portal at https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/.
Key legislation has supported these transparency efforts. Senate Bill 2, passed by the 86th Legislature in 2019, significantly enhanced requirements for local tax rate adoption. It mandates that local entities prominently post their no-new-revenue tax rate and voter-approval tax rate, providing taxpayers a clear understanding of proposed changes. Further, Senate Bill 1943 from the 88th Legislature in 2023 strengthened requirements for public notices regarding tax rate hearings, ensuring they are clear and easily accessible to residents before property tax rates are finalized.
Debt transparency was significantly advanced by House Bill 1378, enacted by the 84th Legislature in 2015. This legislation requires all local governments, from Galveston to Amarillo and Pecos, to publish detailed information about their bond debt online. This includes the total amount of outstanding debt, any new debt propositions, and the purpose of the financing, offering a clear picture of financial obligations.
In recognition of entities that go above and beyond the minimum requirements, the Comptroller's office awards "Texas Transparency Stars." These accolades highlight local governments demonstrating exceptional commitment to financial openness, such as the cities of College Station and Pflugerville, which have earned recognition for their robust transparency practices. These programs collectively aim to empower Texans in communities like Waco and El Paso with the tools to hold their elected officials accountable and understand how public funds are utilized.
