Employee Spotlight: Jamie Takacs—Building Trust Through Financial Transparency

Numbers tell a story. In city government, transparency isn’t just about making data available—it’s about making sure people understand what it means. Jamie Takacs, the City of Toledo’s Manager of Capital Planning and Debt, makes that her priority every day.

Takacs manages critical financial reporting, ensuring taxpayers and city leaders have a clear picture of how public funds are allocated and spent. Her department produces the city’s annual budget, debt book, financial reports, and audits—documents that aren’t just required by law but provide a roadmap for how Toledo invests in its future.

That commitment to transparency was reflected in the city’s recent bond rating upgrade. Through practices like multi-year financial planning, monthly reporting to City Council, and detailed disclosures in the annual Capital Improvements budget, Toledo has strengthened its financial standing. Moody’s and S&P recognized these efforts, citing the city’s strong governance, financial management, and responsible budgeting.

“These upgrades are not just a recognition of Toledo’s financial health, they directly benefit our residents by allowing us to borrow at lower interest rates, saving taxpayer dollars that can be reinvested into critical city services and infrastructure,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.

For Takacs, transparency in finance goes beyond disclosure. “It’s about taking the priorities of Toledo’s residents, businesses, and stakeholders and turning them into a financial plan that people can see, follow, and trust,” she said.

Her career in public finance spans more than a decade. A graduate of The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo College of Law, Takacs has worked for the City of Toledo since 2013, holding roles with Toledo City Council, the Office of the Mayor, and various city departments. She has spent the last eight years in the Capital Improvement Program and Debt Management Office, overseeing the city’s long-term financial planning.

Takacs is a proud East Toledo resident, where she has lived for the past decade with her many rescue animals.

“The budget isn’t just numbers on a page,” she said. “It’s a reflection of the community’s needs and priorities. Our job is to make sure people can see where their tax dollars are going and how those investments are making a difference.”

That commitment to transparency extends beyond reports and spreadsheets. Toledo’s fiscal transparency portal, public council hearings, and interactive budget documents ensure that anyone—resident, business owner, or investor—can access and understand the city’s financial health.

“Trust in government starts with clear, honest communication,” Takacs said. “Every document we produce, every meeting we hold, is about making sure people aren’t just informed, but empowered.”

Her work ensures Toledo meets not just legal requirements but a higher standard of openness and accountability.

“At the end of the day, transparency isn’t just a value we talk about—it’s something we prove, every single day,” Takacs said.

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