Fort Worth earns highest level of financial transparency in Texas

The City of Fort Worth has been awarded all six Transparency Stars possible through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ Transparency Stars program, making Fort Worth the largest of 14 cities in Texas to have earned that designation.

The City joins Tarrant County and Tarrant Regional Water District in this unique achievement.

The Transparency Stars program recognizes local government entities for going above and beyond in their transparency efforts by providing clear and meaningful financial information online through documents, visualization and other formats. The State Comptroller conducts regular reviews of each awardee to ensure ongoing accuracy and completeness.

The City of Fort Worth received its sixth and final Transparency Star for Economic Development on April 30. The award criteria included documenting the following metrics:

Number of tax abatements and Chapter 380 agreements granted during the most recently completed fiscal year

Estimated taxes abated or forgone in the first year of current active agreements as total and per capita amounts

Estimated taxes abated or forgone for life of current active agreements

Number of jobs created or retained by agreements to date

Total capital investment received for agreements to date

Transparency Stars previously awarded to the City of Fort Worth include:

Traditional Finances Transparency Star, awarded June 30, 2025

Debt Obligations Transparency Star, awarded Aug. 31, 2025

Public Pensions Transparency Star, awarded Aug. 31, 2025

Open Government and Compliance Transparency Star, awarded Sept. 30, 2025

Contracts and Procurement Transparency Star, awarded April 13, 2026

All Transparency Stars data and information can be viewed on the City of Fort Worth website.

“This recognition showcases the City's commitment to being transparent and accountable with public funds and development," said City Manager Jay Chapa.

"I applaud the hard work of our staff in maintaining this high standard for our community."

Kelly Hancock, Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, recently attended a Council work session to speak on Fort Worth’s Transparency Stars efforts.

“We think trust starts with transparency when it comes to government, and the City of Fort Worth is to be commended for that,” Hancock said.

“Fort Worth is really one of the leading cities — as you know, there are 12 large cities in the state of Texas — but not all of them are pursuing this the way y’all have, and I think that’s commendable.”

Photo caption: Assistant City Manager Dana Burghdoff and Director of Economic Development Jessica Rogers are joined by department staff to accept the Economic Development Transparency Star.

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