Washington voters approved Initiative No. 900 in November 2005, giving the State Auditor's Office authority to conduct independent performance audits of state and local governments on behalf of citizens to promote accountability and cost-effective uses of public resources. The State Auditor's Office examines cities of various sizes in urban and rural areas to ensure that a reasonable perspective of the issues and challenges that confront all the state’s nearly 300 cities and 39 counties is obtained. Bellevue occasionally is selected as one of the sample cities included in their performance audit program. Typically, Bellevue is recognized as one of the best-practice entities. The
State Auditor's Office has more information about this program.