The Texas Comptroller's office has named Arlington as one of only eleven municipalities in Texas to achieve their new Platinum award in the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle for financial transparency. This is the newest and highest level of transparency a city can achieve from the state comptroller. The award recognizes local governments across Texas that are meeting a high level of online financial transparency by providing residents with a clear and consistent picture of spending in a user-friendly format.

Arlington previously achieved the Gold Leadership Award, which had been the highest level each year since the program began in 2009.

Assistant Director of Financial Operations Sherry Wright said, "We have supported the Comptroller's efforts toward transparency from the very beginning and are delighted to have achieved Platinum status. The City takes great pride in promoting this spirit of openness and honesty for our citizens."

According to the Comptroller's office, the new Platinum award recognizes local governments that have exceeded the previous requirements of disclosure. It includes posting of budgets, financial reports and check registers online. The Platinum Award spotlights entities that post detailed summary information on their websites about current bonded debt and repayment; link to the Comptroller's governmental transparency website; and pledge to post information online about proposed bond packages and existing debt.

For more information, visit www.texastransparency.org.