ITD's new citizen-focused annual report
recognized for excellence, serves as national model

The Idaho Transportation Department’s new citizen-oriented annual report, released in December 2014, has been recognized for excellence. A national group encouraging more effective approaches to communicating financial information to the public has given its endorsement of the report as an excellent example of the presentation of performance and financial information to taxpayers.

Technical Writer Rik Hinton and Graphic Artist Pauline Davis coordinated production of the revamped report.

ITD received a “Certificate of Excellence in Citizen Centric Reporting” from the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) on Feb. 18. AGA endorsed the department’s “2014 Annual Report to Our Citizens,” and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials may select it to present as a model nationwide.

Eveanna Barry, the AGA Director of Performance Reporting, told AASHTO in a Feb. 10 email,  “We received our first CCR [Citizen Centric Report] from a Department of Transportation — Idaho.  It is absolutely one of the best CCRs we have ever received.”

“For a first-time submitter, this report exceeds the quality for the excellence award,” said AGA Chief Executive Officer Ann Ebberts in her Feb. 18 letter to ITD. AGA specifically pointed to the balanced nature of the report — the demographics, flow, aesthetics, and limited jargon. Performance measures illustrating the progress of the agency also received kudos.

The simplified and condensed four-page annual report of the department’s activities in 2014 marks another step toward greater transparency and accountability.  The new format offers more visual appeal, and includes a transportation overview, department accomplishments and performance measures, financial information, revenue trends and future focus areas.

ITD’s annual report documents accomplishments as the department pursues the goals of safety, mobility and economic opportunity for Idaho road users and taxpayers.

“This recognition is another indication that shows we are edging ever closer to our goal of being the best, and being an example to others is further proof,” said ITD Director Brian W. Ness.

“The annual report showcases ITD’s efforts to connect with and be accountable to Idaho’s citizens and leaders, to improve transparency around financial and operational performance, to continually improve in the areas of maintenance and operations, and to be innovative in our approaches,” Ness explained.

“Improvements at ITD have had a direct and positive impact on the users of the transportation system.”

"Although I am a numbers person, I love how the pictures in the report illustrate the story of ITD’s impact throughout the state, the diversity of our services, the magnitude of our challenges and the commitment of our people," said ITD Chief Administrative Officer Charlene McArthur.

Click here for a link to the annual report, in PDF format.

ITD’s 2014 annual report is available on the department’s website, at www.itd.idaho.gov. It is listed under “Publications” and the “2014 Annual Report to Our Citizens” link.



Published 02-27-15