Findlay auditor releases updated financial transparency platform

A new "open finance" website for the city of Findlay, released by the office of city Auditor Jim Staschiak, is now live. The website can be accessed at www.FindlayOhioFinances.com. The new platform replaces a financial transparency site released by Staschiak's office in 2016. The auditor's office contracts with Tyler Technologies Inc., Plano, Texas, for maintenance of the city finance site at a cost of about $5,000 each year. Staschiak said the new platform came at no additional cost to the city, and said the fee has not changed since the original launch of the site five years ago. Staschiak, a strong proponent of government transparency, said the more people watching, participating and staying aware of the workings of government, the better. "Having the information allows for informed discourse and informed debate," said Staschiak. "We don't want a few people making the decisions for everyone just because everyone doesn't have the information." The system is integrated with the auditor's office and provides real-time data on city revenue and spending as Staschiak's office goes about its work. He said being able to provide transparency on city finances, without creating more work for his office, was a big selling point for the system. He said the new platform is more user-friendly and "on the leading edge of government transparency, and it "clearly shows how the city of Findlay receives and spends its money." "The new site allows the public to view the information at the highest level of reporting or drill down to individual transactions," Staschiak said. For example, users can see what payments were made to different vendors and where different city departments are spending their money. It will also allow users to see the salaries of every city government employee. He said the financial information is also presented in an easily understandable way. "If you want to know, or need to know, something about city finance, you can just get on the site and look it up. You don't have to make a records request," he said. "That's open government." The website highlights the revenue budget, operating budget, vendor payments and city payroll. The site also provides a link to the auditor's webpage on the city of Findlay's website at www.findlayohio.com. The auditor's webpage allows access to additional information about city finances, including financial reports and presentations. For more information or questions about city finances and transparency, contact the auditor's office by calling 419-424-7101, or by email at Auditor@FindlayOhio.com Grant: 419-427-8412