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ENLARGE
Christy Lattin
Community News Editor
It’s an understatement to say the Internet has changed our lives. Most notably, the Internet has changed how we find and receive information, and in most cases, it’s made that search easier on both information seekers and providers.
As one of those seekers, I’m often perusing Web sites for cities, counties and other government agencies looking for agendas, supporting documents, meeting minutes and other resources.
As an impatient child of the 1980s, I find it frustrating when those basic documents aren’t available to me at the touch of a button. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say other residents share that frustration.
In this day and age, I believe all incorporated cities and counties should have the basic documents like agendas and minutes posted on their Web sites. I also believe all elected officials should have a contact phone number and e-mail address posted so constituents can reach them easily from the comfort of their homes.
The city of Fallon took down its Web site about one year ago in order to redesign it as part of the city’s centennial celebration. I agree the Web site needed a facelift — it lacked a professional look and was grossly outdated (www.cityoffallon.com).
However, more importantly, the site offered no information on what issues the city was currently facing or recent decisions reached by the council. And where is that information usually located? In meeting agendas and minutes.
I’m calling out the city of Fallon specifically because their site underserves city residents compared to Web sites for neighboring cities and counties. For example, the city of Fernley’s Web site (www.cityoffernley.org) is one of the best municipal sites I’ve run across. Agendas, minutes, audio files of meetings and the ability to pay utility bills online make it a functional site.
Fernley also used its Web site extensively to disseminate information to residents following the flood in January 2008. The city pays an outside contractor about $2,000 a year for the Web site shell and hosting, but staff is responsible for updating and uploading the content.
Even little Yerington includes the basics on its site (www.yerington.net). Residents can view the current council agenda and pay utility bills online. However, the city of Lovelock, like Fallon’s old site, provides no agenda, minutes nor the ability to pay utility bills (www.cityoflovelock.com).
Winnemucca boasts a simple, professional looking, easy to navigate site (www.winnemuccacity.org). Agendas and minutes are accessible, utility payments are accepted and the contacts page includes e-mail addresses and phone numbers for elected officials.
If I had to offer a critique of the Winnemucca site, it would be that it lacks any information about the city’s history and the “Upcoming Events” box is empty.
Why — you may ask — is that “frilly” stuff like history and events important? Because it’s a snapshot of your city or county. It’s the face you’re presenting to the entire world ... and like the old saying goes, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”
How does Churchill County’s Web site stack up compared to others? Quite well, actually. Agendas, minutes, supporting documents and other county information are easily accessible (www.churchillcounty.org). The site is not a slick one with all the bells and whistles, but it looks nice, and more importantly, offers pertinent information.
Now, there’s no law on the books that mandates government agencies to post agendas and minutes online. The Nevada Open Meeting Law states entities can’t selectively post information online, meaning if it posts agendas and minutes for one meeting, it must continue to do so in the future.
Standing firmly upon my soap box, I will assert further that any entity that receives public money should post its agendas and minutes online for the public to see. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of local entities like the Churchill Economic Development Authority (www.ceda-nv.org), Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance (www.lvea.org), Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (www.tcid.org) and the Churchill County School District (www.churchill.k12.nv.us).
The above mentioned sites have varying levels of information available, and I challenge those entities to scrutinize their sites to ensure the public has access to documents which basically show what they’re doing.
Officials shouldn’t simply give lip service to being “open and transparent.” They should back up those claims with proof — and post it on the Web for all to see.
Christy Lattin is the community news editor for the LVN and covers City Hall.
As one of those seekers, I’m often perusing Web sites for cities, counties and other government agencies looking for agendas, supporting documents, meeting minutes and other resources.
As an impatient child of the 1980s, I find it frustrating when those basic documents aren’t available to me at the touch of a button. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say other residents share that frustration.
In this day and age, I believe all incorporated cities and counties should have the basic documents like agendas and minutes posted on their Web sites. I also believe all elected officials should have a contact phone number and e-mail address posted so constituents can reach them easily from the comfort of their homes.
The city of Fallon took down its Web site about one year ago in order to redesign it as part of the city’s centennial celebration. I agree the Web site needed a facelift — it lacked a professional look and was grossly outdated (www.cityoffallon.com).
However, more importantly, the site offered no information on what issues the city was currently facing or recent decisions reached by the council. And where is that information usually located? In meeting agendas and minutes.
I’m calling out the city of Fallon specifically because their site underserves city residents compared to Web sites for neighboring cities and counties. For example, the city of Fernley’s Web site (www.cityoffernley.org) is one of the best municipal sites I’ve run across. Agendas, minutes, audio files of meetings and the ability to pay utility bills online make it a functional site.
Fernley also used its Web site extensively to disseminate information to residents following the flood in January 2008. The city pays an outside contractor about $2,000 a year for the Web site shell and hosting, but staff is responsible for updating and uploading the content.
Even little Yerington includes the basics on its site (www.yerington.net). Residents can view the current council agenda and pay utility bills online. However, the city of Lovelock, like Fallon’s old site, provides no agenda, minutes nor the ability to pay utility bills (www.cityoflovelock.com).
Winnemucca boasts a simple, professional looking, easy to navigate site (www.winnemuccacity.org). Agendas and minutes are accessible, utility payments are accepted and the contacts page includes e-mail addresses and phone numbers for elected officials.
If I had to offer a critique of the Winnemucca site, it would be that it lacks any information about the city’s history and the “Upcoming Events” box is empty.
Why — you may ask — is that “frilly” stuff like history and events important? Because it’s a snapshot of your city or county. It’s the face you’re presenting to the entire world ... and like the old saying goes, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”
How does Churchill County’s Web site stack up compared to others? Quite well, actually. Agendas, minutes, supporting documents and other county information are easily accessible (www.churchillcounty.org). The site is not a slick one with all the bells and whistles, but it looks nice, and more importantly, offers pertinent information.
Now, there’s no law on the books that mandates government agencies to post agendas and minutes online. The Nevada Open Meeting Law states entities can’t selectively post information online, meaning if it posts agendas and minutes for one meeting, it must continue to do so in the future.
Standing firmly upon my soap box, I will assert further that any entity that receives public money should post its agendas and minutes online for the public to see. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of local entities like the Churchill Economic Development Authority (www.ceda-nv.org), Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance (www.lvea.org), Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (www.tcid.org) and the Churchill County School District (www.churchill.k12.nv.us).
The above mentioned sites have varying levels of information available, and I challenge those entities to scrutinize their sites to ensure the public has access to documents which basically show what they’re doing.
Officials shouldn’t simply give lip service to being “open and transparent.” They should back up those claims with proof — and post it on the Web for all to see.
Christy Lattin is the community news editor for the LVN and covers City Hall.
