West Virginia Auditor's Office showcases transparency initiative through Checkbook platform

The Vienna City Council meeting on April 10, 2025, featured a significant discussion on the West Virginia Checkbook project, aimed at enhancing transparency in local government finances. Jacob Lindroth from the West Virginia State Auditor's Office presented the initiative, which encourages counties and municipalities to publicly share their financial data.

Lindroth explained that the West Virginia Checkbook is a state transparency website designed to bridge the gap between local governments and citizens. Currently, 30 counties and 24 municipalities have their financial data available on the site, which is free to join and maintain. The initiative is voluntary, allowing local governments to demonstrate their commitment to transparency without legal obligation.

The Checkbook website includes three main features: reports, stories, and dashboards. Reports provide detailed financial data, allowing users to filter and analyze expenditures. Stories serve as a web page builder for municipalities to share specific financial narratives, while dashboards compile various reports for comprehensive overviews.

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to improve public trust and accountability. They noted that the tool could reduce the volume of inquiries from citizens regarding local spending, as residents would have direct access to financial information.

Lindroth assured the council that the integration process for municipalities would be straightforward, taking about two weeks, with minimal ongoing effort required from city staff. The data can be updated as frequently as desired, offering flexibility for local governments.

Overall, the council's discussion underscored a collective interest in adopting the West Virginia Checkbook project, viewing it as a valuable resource for enhancing transparency and fostering community engagement in local governance.