City of Fort Worth earns recognition for transparency efforts and detailed financial disclosures
Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth officials marked another milestone in government accountability as the city received its fifth Transparency Star from the Texas Comptroller’s office during a recent City Council Work Session. The recognition, presented by Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Kelly Hancock, highlights the city’s continued efforts to provide clear and accessible information to the public.
The Transparency Stars program is designed to recognize local governments that go beyond basic requirements by making detailed financial and operational data available online. Cities that earn these distinctions must demonstrate that their websites provide meaningful, easy-to-understand information while maintaining accuracy over time. The Comptroller’s office also conducts ongoing reviews to ensure that each participating city continues to meet these standards.
New recognition focuses on contracts and spending
The most recent award given to Fort Worth is for Contracts and Procurement, a category that reflects how the city manages and reports its spending on goods and services. This includes a detailed look at how contracts are awarded, how much money is spent, and how transparent the process is for the public.
To qualify for this Transparency Star, Fort Worth had to meet several detailed criteria. These included reporting total spending on procurement and contracting activities, both overall and on a per-person basis. The city also had to show how many bidding opportunities were made publicly available, as well as how many contracts were ultimately awarded.
Additional requirements included tracking the total value of bids received and the total amount awarded through contracts. The city also provided a time-based comparison showing how authorized spending compared to actual expenditures over the past five fiscal years. Another key component involved breaking down contracts by business sector for the most recently completed fiscal year.
This latest award adds to a growing list of recognitions for Fort Worth. The city previously received Transparency Stars for Traditional Finances on June 30, 2025, followed by awards for Debt Obligations and Public Pensions on August 31, 2025. It later earned recognition for Open Government and Compliance on September 30, 2025.
City leaders have continued to build on this progress. As part of that effort, Fort Worth submitted an application on March 31, 2026, for a sixth and final Transparency Star focused on Economic Development.
The series of awards reflects an ongoing push by the city to strengthen public trust by making information easier to access and understand. By sharing detailed financial data and maintaining high standards of transparency, officials aim to ensure that residents can clearly see how public funds are managed and used.
