"Transparency" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when residents think of DeKalb County.
But despite allegations of corruption against elected officials, DeKalb has significantly increased online access to government information, according to a Ballotpedia.org, an encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
Ballotpedia.org recently gave DeKalb an A+ grade in its Sunshine Review, a sharp improvement for the county's previous C- grade.
The website praised DeKalb for making available budget information, meeting agendas, contracting documents and tax resources.
The county upped its grade by posting government contracts, administration officials' contact information, audits and lobbyist disclosures.
Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May said he has made improving transparency since he took office in July 2013, replacing suspended CEO Burrell Ellis as he fights criminal allegations that he extorted campaign contributions from county contractors.
"Seeing the efforts of this administration's hard work rewarded is gratifying," May said in a statement. "It means a lot that we have accomplished the highest level of government transparency, and it is recognized by an objective entity outside DeKalb County."
DeKalb County has created a transparency website with links to information evaluated by Ballotpedia.org.
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