Web Producer: Amber Sumpter

 

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Pinal County is one of the top 35 counties in the nation to receive an A+ grade for transparency in government.

 

Pinal County is the first and only county in Arizona to receive the high grade.

 

Sunshine Review gives out the grades to more than 7,000 city, county and school districts websites for transparency.

 

“The Sunny Awards recognize governments that make transparency a priority.  The winners of the Sunny Awards are cities, counties and school districts that proactively share the public information that empowers citizens and keeps government accountable to the people,” said Michael Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review.  “We congratulate Pinal County for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation.” 

 

Sunshine Review evaluates state and local website transparency through a 10-point checklist.

 

It is the fifth year the Pinal County earned a Sunny Award, but it’s first to earn an A+.

 

Awarding a grade of “A” to only 247 sites nationwide, Pinal County has a lot to be proud through having a top system for government transparency.

 

No where in California, Utah or Nevada did counties earn an A+.

 

But Santa Fe County, New Mexico did earn top marks comparing closely to Pinal County.

 

For more information about the rankings or to see how other places compare, go to www.sunshinereview.org.