CITY OF COSTA MESA P.O. BOX 1200, COSTA MESA, 92628-1200

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

MEDIA RELEASE

March 8, 2012

CONTACT Bill Lobdell, (949) 887-2541 [email protected] www.costamesaca.gov www.facebook.com/CostaMesaCityHall Twitter @CityofCostaMesa

City of Costa Mesa wins national transparency award

COSTA MESA, CALIF.—Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit dedicated to government transparency, released the winners of its third annual Sunny Awards and among those honored was the City of Costa Mesa.

After analyzing 6,000 government websites, Sunshine Review gave the awards to only 214 entities. No other Orange County government entity received a Sunny Award.

“The Sunny Awards recognizes governments that are doing an exemplary job at proactively disclosing information to taxpayers,” said Michael Barnhart, president of Sunshine Review. “We would like to congratulate City of Costa Mesa for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation.”

For the 2012 awards, editors at Sunshine Review graded each government website on a 10- point transparency checklist. Editors looked at content available on government websites against what should be provided. They sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an “A” grade during the extensive grading process.

“The City Council and staff have made a commitment to provide Costa Mesa citizens with as much public information on our website as possible,” Mayor Gary Monahan said. “This award underscores the importance of what we are doing and that we are doing it right.”

Six states earned nearly half of the 214 Sunny Awards given. The leading states were (28), (21), (19), Virginia (14), Ohio (10) and (10). In addition, ten states earned an “A” grade for their state government website, including California.

77 FAIR DRIVE, COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626 (714) 754-5327 • FAX: (714) 754-5330 • TDD: (714) 754-5244 • www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us

The Sunny Awards announcement is an annual precursor to “Sunshine Week,” March 11-17, a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken toward open government.

Sunshine Review collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the websites of all 50 states and more than 6,000 state and local entities.

For information on Sunshine Review please e-mail Meghan Tisinger or call (703) 965-1145.

77 FAIR DRIVE, COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626 (714) 754-5327 • FAX: (714) 754-5330 • TDD: (714) 754-5244 • www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us