This week marks Sunshine Week, a national initiative celebrating the importance of open government and access to public information. Our incredible records and finance teams at Cuyahoga Land Bank understand that transparency isn’t just a week-long event but a core principle guiding our daily operations. This is why we’re particularly proud to share some recent achievements that underscore our commitment to accountability.
Last week, Cuyahoga Land Bank accepted the Ohio Auditor of State Award for our 15th consecutive clean audit and 5th award for best practices. This accomplishment signifies the thoroughness of our financial management and our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.
Why Is this Important?
Clean audits and best practices awards are more than accolades. They represent our unwavering dedication to responsible stewardship of public resources. When we maintain accurate, accessible and transparent records, we build trust with our stakeholders, partners, and, most importantly, Cuyahoga County residents. This transparency ensures that every dollar entrusted to us is used effectively to revitalize neighborhoods and create opportunities.
Land Bank President and CEO Ricardo León emphasized the significance of this milestone: “For the 15th year in a row, Cuyahoga Land Bank has received a perfect audit from the Ohio State Auditor’s Office. This five-week annual audit examines every facet of our operations—financial systems, accounting procedures, personnel and financial obligations. We take the quality and integrity of our accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices seriously, as it is imperative we safeguard our financial assets to maintain the trust of our stakeholders, partners and the residents of the County.”
Maintaining this level of accuracy and accessibility requires diligent effort from every team member. Sarah Norman, Document Support Staff and Records Custodian, sheds light on the process: “Ensuring that our records are orderly and accessible is a continuous effort. We maintain meticulous documentation of our processes so that information is readily available to the public whenever needed. It’s about more than just compliance; it’s about fostering a culture of openness and accountability.”
Cuyahoga Land Bank is committed to upholding the principles of Sunshine Week every day of the year. Transparency is essential for building strong, vibrant communities. We will continue to prioritize clean, accessible records, ensuring that our work remains open to public scrutiny and that we remain deserving of the public’s trust.