transparent.utah.govtransparent.utah.gov

(available May 15, 2009)

NASC Conference, March 2009

John Reidhead, CPA

Director, Utah Division of Finance

BackgroundBackground

• Bill passed in 2008 Legislative Session

• Included executive, legislative, and judicial branches plus colleges and universities

• Created the Transparency Advisory Board as oversight for the Div. of Finance– Membership: 3 Legislative; 3 Executive;

1 Judicial

BackgroundBackground

• Funding: $125,000 one-time

• Third-party development costs $192,000

• Internal costs to date: Approx. $45,000

• Website being developed to accommodate multiple entities and levels of government

Proposed ChangesProposed Changes

• Legislation is currently being considered that would require the participation of:– School Districts, Charter Schools and Transit

Districts by May 15, 2010.– Counties, Municipalities and Special Districts

May 15, 2011.– Special consideration for < $10,000,000

Challenges of having a BoardChallenges of having a Board

• Unreasonable expectations of Legislative members

• Learning curve (listening issues)

• Scheduling

Advantages to a BoardAdvantages to a Board

• Help make the process more transparent

• Help decide difficult issues

• Better end product with greater acceptance

Considerations and DecisionsConsiderations and Decisions

• To develop in-house or contract with vendor• Privacy of Data: GRAMA, FERPA, HIPAA• Frequency of data update to website• Level of Detail to post to website• Development of generic data structure• Type and scope of data: expenditures, detailed

payroll, revenues, budgets, contracts, etc.• Data submission procedures