RENO — In recognition of the transparent and open budget process developed by the Washoe County School District, the Nevada Taxpayers Association (NTA) has named the WCSD the recipient of the 2012 Cashman Good Government Award. The announcement was made at the NTA’s annual meeting in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Established in 1997, this award recognizes non-elected, full-time employees in Nevada and local governments throughout the state that promote efficient and timely service to citizens in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible manner.

The WCSD executive cabinet in January 2011 launched a campaign to raise awareness about the impact of potential budget reductions and to gather input from citizens. The members of the district’s executive cabinet provided a transparent, two-way system that allowed for numerous opportunities to participate in the process through town hall meetings, a budget survey, the creation of a website for citizens to get updates and provide input and through several news conferences.

“It is common to hear from citizens across the country that they feel they are not heard by their local government agencies and do not have enough opportunities to participate in the process,” WCSD Board of Trustees President Ken Grein said. “Not only did this campaign directly address that issue, it demonstrated that the Washoe County School District is listening and considering the public’s ideas as we work to improve our school system.”

Nominees for the Cashman Good Government Award were evaluated based on the following criteria: a strong, continuing and consistent effort to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely and efficiently; acts that went above and beyond normal job duties; effective, open and accountable practice of creating a user-friendly government; and the degree to which the achievement provided tangible results.

The Cashman Good Government Award is named after the Cashman family, which has been active in Nevada civic affairs for more than 100 years.