Washoe Checkbook
Explore Washoe County’s financial activity through an interactive transparency tool that lets residents review revenues, expenditures, payroll information and spending across departments and funds.
What is Washoe Checkbook?
Washoe Checkbook is an online financial transparency tool that gives residents direct access to detailed information about County revenues and expenditures.
Residents can use the tool to explore how County funds are received and spent, compare budgeted and actual activity, review financial information by department or fund, and dig into specific transactions using interactive charts, tables and filters.
For example, you can explore:
- County expenditures and spending activity
- Revenue received by the County
- Budgeted amounts compared with actual spending
- Financial activity by department
- County funds and their related revenues and expenditures
- Payroll information, including summarized wages and benefits
- Vendor and payment information
- Financial trends across fiscal years
How to Use Washoe Checkbook
Helpful Things to Remember
- Budgeted does not mean spent. A budget authorizes spending; it does not mean the full amount will necessarily be used.
- Timing matters. Current-year totals change as revenue is received and transactions are processed.
- Funds have different purposes. Some County resources are legally or programmatically restricted to specific uses.
- Start broad, then narrow. It is usually easier to understand the data by beginning with a department or major category before drilling into individual transactions.
- Checkbook complements official financial reports. Adopted budgets, audited financial statements and other formal reports remain available through Washoe County’s financial resources.
Other Financial Resources/Documents
The Washoe Checkbook is one of several tools available to help residents understand Washoe County finances. Depending on what you are looking for, another resource may provide more detail.
Washoe Checkbook at a Glance
24
County Departments
29
Funds
$1B+
Annual County Expenditures
92,000+
Vendor Invoices Processed Annually
Nightly
Data Updates
Exportable
Charts, Tables & Financial Data
Watch a Guided Demonstration of Washoe Checkbook
Want to see the Washoe Checkbook in action? Washoe County’s Budget 101 workshop includes a demonstration of the tool and an introduction to how residents can explore County financial information. Instructions begin at the 38:03 timestamp.
Key Milestones
Annual Budget 101 Workshop
County staff again demonstrated the Checkbook as part of the annual Budget 101 workshop.
Initial Budget 101 Workshop
The Washoe Checkbook was featured as part of the County’s first Budget 101 public workshop.
Board Demonstration
County staff introduced the Checkbook and demonstrated the tool during a Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Washoe Checkbook Launch
The Washoe Checkbook became available for residents to explore County financial information online.
Funding Approved for Washoe Checkbook Project
The Board of County Commissioners approved funding to develop a public financial transparency and open-checkbook website.
Budget vs. Washoe Checkbook
The Budget = The Financial Plan
The adopted budget shows how Washoe County plans to collect and allocate resources during the fiscal year.
Washoe Checkbook = The Financial Activity
The Washoe Checkbook lets residents explore actual revenues, expenditures and other financial activity as the fiscal year progresses.
Click below to learn more about how Washoe County's budget is developed. ⬇️
Understanding the Washoe County Budget
Ever wondered how your taxpayer dollars are allocated and spent in Washoe County? Dive into the world of local government finance, designed to promote transparency and empower resident engagement.