Residents seeking to exercise their right to lift the lid on government operations can rejoice: Columbia officials are working on a plan to make obtaining public information from the city easier and faster.
In an attempt to avoid potential litigation and respond more effectively to public inquiries, city officials plan to purchase computer software to manage open records requests made under the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law and create an electronic database of public documents for easier access. Additionally, the city's 18 records custodians in charge of releasing information to the public will receive Sunshine Law compliance training from city attorneys and a representative with the Missouri Attorney General's office, Community Relations Director Steve Sapp said Friday.
Subscription RequiredAn online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.
LoginOr, use your facebook account:
Choose an online service.Unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone.
Unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone, as well as the Web App on your computer or iPad.
Home delivery of the print edition every day*, unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone.
Home delivery of the print edition*, including coupons, specials from major retailers and expanded news and analysis. Includes online.
Online Student Access to the ColumbiaTribune.com
Home delivery of the print edition every day, unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone, as well as the Web App on your computer or iPad.
Get 13 weeks of our Sunday and Wednesday paper delivered to your home or office for just $1 per week.
Get 16 weeks of home delivery for just $1 a week.
Get 26 weeks delivered to your home every day for just $1 per week.
Get 26 weeks of home delivery for just $1 a week and save 71% off the regular home delivery subscription rate.
Home delivery of the print edition every day*, unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone. Paid in advance for a year, for your convenience.
Get 13 weeks of our weekend home delivery with expanded pro, college and prep sports coverage. Delivered to your home or office at 38% off the regular home delivery subscription rate.
Home delivery of the print edition on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Unlimited access to ColumbiaTribune.com on your computer, tablet and smart phone. Monthly recurring.
Need an account? Create one now.
You must login to view the full content on this page.Or, use your facebook account:
"We have looked at some industry standard tools for" information "management and are narrowing software solutions down," Sapp said. "If the proposal doesn't need any revisions from the City Manager's office, we hope to have software tracking in place by Oct. 1."
The proposed software purchase and staff training are part of ongoing city efforts to improve communication and transparency with the public, according to a news release. The effort partially has been in response to residents' complaints about difficulty obtaining public documents, as well as an ongoing Tribune investigation into government record-keeping practices.
City leaders want the software to perform several, specific functions, which include:
Through this software, Sapp said, "we want to start creating electronic libraries of city information and records."
"We will be able to see when several people want similar information," he said, and with an electronic library, "we can easily send it to them or just post it" to the city's website.
Officials also are exploring ways to make data more easily available to residents through the city website or publicly-accessible computer kiosks for those who do not have computer or internet access, the release said.
Subscription-based services able to perform all of the required functions cost between $12,000 and $16,000 a year, Sapp said. The initial subscription or software costs would be covered by funds set aside for departments.
"When you look at the fact that this could help our communication with" people, "it's worth it," Sapp said. "If this saves us from a lawsuit in the future, it could pay for itself, too."
Earlier this month, the Columbia City Council broadened the definition of what employees should consider formal requests for information. The Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law, also known as the Sunshine Law, mandates that government officials must respond to such requests within three business days. Mayor Brian Treece, who proposed the new transparency policy, said he supports further exploration into how city officials can encourage transparency.
"Access to open public records is a fundamental expectation that engenders public confidence and trust in our government," Treece said in the news release. "These important steps will help ensure the city's policy and practice is in full compliance with the letter and spirit of the Sunshine law, as well as recent case law."
© 2016 Columbia Daily Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thank you for visiting ColumbiaTribune.comYou have viewed your 10 free stories. You can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 10 free articles, or you can purchase a subscription and enjoy unlimited access to local news, sports, photos and thoughtful analysis to help make sense of it all. If you need help, please contact our customer service office at 573-815-1600.
Login
Log in to comment with Facebook account:
Close Window [x]
Source: City plans to improve access to information with new software, training
No comments:
Post a Comment