The Amarillo City Council convened on June 24, 2025, to discuss financial transparency measures aimed at enhancing accountability in local government spending. The meeting focused on the evaluation of two types of financial reports: the check register and the bank account ledger report.

City officials highlighted the advantages of the check register, noting its ease of production and quick turnaround time. However, they acknowledged its limitations, particularly its exclusion of wire transfers and deposits. In contrast, the bank account ledger report encompasses all forms of payments, including checks, ACHs, wire transfers, and deposits, but is slower to produce and may require more redaction of confidential information.

The council emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that "meaningful transparency leads to greater accountability." To this end, they proposed a policy to publish information on how tax dollars are spent. The plan includes posting check registers for all Citibank accounts monthly, while bank account ledgers will be made available quarterly. Both reports will be redacted to protect confidential information.

The council clarified that the reports will only cover Citibank accounts and will not include data from component units, which can be accessed through public information requests. This initiative aims to foster open communication with the public regarding local government finances.

In summary, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to financial transparency, with a structured approach to reporting that balances accessibility and confidentiality. The council's recommendations are set to enhance public trust and ensure that citizens are informed about the management of their tax dollars.