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Ohio Auditor Creates Public Records Rating System For Local Governments

Auditory Keith Faber (R-Ohio) unveils new rating system on local government compliance of Ohio's Sunshine Laws.
Andy Chow
Auditory Keith Faber (R-Ohio) unveils new rating system on local government compliance of Ohio's Sunshine Laws.

The official elected as the state’s 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 four-star rating system 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

Copyright 2019 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.