Review and file the Yolo Local Government 2025 Website Transparency Scorecard Results

Review and file the 2025 Website Transparency Scorecard.

In the fall of 2017, the cities and County requested that LAFCo begin preparing website transparency scorecards on an annual basis to promote a shared vision of open government and transparency among local government agencies countywide, including cities, the County, special districts, and joint powers authorities. This effort is intended to foster public trust, accountability, and improved access to information.

The checklist criteria are intended to establish a generally accepted minimum standard for transparency and are not intended to function as a “best website” contest. We acknowledge that some larger and more resourced agencies go far above and beyond these criteria, providing higher levels of public service and communication. The goal for smaller agencies is not necessarily to achieve a high score at the outset, but rather to establish a baseline and encourage improvement from year to year.

Scorecard Results
Website transparency remained relatively consistent across most agency categories from 2023 through 2025. In general, an agency’s website transparency appears to correlate with its operational capacity and available resources.

Pursuant to Senate Bill 929 (McGuire, Stats. 2018, ch. 206; Gov. Code § 53095.5), independent special districts are required to maintain a website or adopt an annual hardship resolution. Based on the 2025 scorecard results, five (5) independent districts are not in compliance with this requirement:

• Two cemetery districts (Capay and Knights Landing)
• One fire protection district (Elkhorn)
• Two reclamation districts (Reclamation Districts 307 and 730)

Cottonwood Cemetery District does not maintain a website but has adopted a hardship resolution and is therefore compliant for the current year.

City and County website content remains strong overall, with average transparency scores in the low-to-mid-90 percent range.

Special district transparency varies by district type and administrative capacity. Cemetery district scores remain low overall (approximately 40 percent), driven primarily by the two districts that lack websites. Community Services District scores remain stable in the mid-50 percent range, while County Service Areas continue to perform well, averaging approximately 89 percent. Fire Protection District transparency improved notably over the three-year period, while water districts and reclamation districts show gradual improvement but continue to lag behind other district types. Reclamation District 765 established a limited web presence in 2025 and is no longer counted among districts lacking a website, though its transparency score remains low at 9 percent.

Joint Powers Authority website transparency remained relatively consistent, averaging approximately 55 percent over the three-year period. While several JPAs do not maintain a website, there is no statutory requirement for JPAs to do so.