Adams County, Wisconsin

From Sunshine Review

Jump to: navigation, search
Budget
Meetings
Elected Officials
Administrative Officials
Permits, zoning
Audits
Contracts
Lobbying
Public records
Local taxes
County websites

Contents

Adams County is one of 72 counties in Wisconsin. It was formed in 1848 and is named after President John Quincy Adams. There are 647.74 square miles and 47 lakes in the county. The county seat is Friendship. [1]

[edit] Website evaluation

Main article: Evaluation of Wisconsin county websites

[edit] The good

  • The budget is posted. [2]
  • A calendar of public meetings is right on the home page of the website, along with who to contact if you have special needs (wheelchair access, AV needs) so that you can be accommodated.
  • Meeting minutes and handouts from meetings are available online through the beginning of 2007. The same webpage mentions meeting agendas, but none were found. [3]
  • County board members are identified, their duties outlined, committees served on, and contact information are all provided. [4]
  • Contact information of administrative officials is given. [5]
  • * A link to the State of Wisconsin Open Records law is on the county board page [6], and information on obtaining recrods is available. [7]
  • Some tax information is available. [8]

[edit] The bad

  • No specific custodian of records is mentioned nor are any FOIA request guidelines.
  • No budget or checkbook register are online.
  • Zoning guidelines are not posted, but some planning ordinances and contact information are posted.[9]
  • Contracts, audits or membership in lobbying organizations are not disclosed.


[edit] Public Records

The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council performed an audit of compliance with the Wisconsin Open Records Law in 2008. 3 in 10 of the requests submitted were found to be ignored or responded to in violation of state law.

In Adams County, the Sheriff's Office erred when a staffer informed the requestor that jail booking records are not public records. Sheriff Darrell Renner indicated concern when he heard that his office had failed the audit, saying "Since taking office, one of my priorities is to be as transparent as possible with all the operations in our department", and believed that the error arose from someone not in administration attempting to handle the call. [10]

See audit finds nearly 10% of open records requests denied or ignored for more.


[edit] External links


[edit] References

  1. ↑ County Seats of Wisconsin
  2. ↑ 2009 Proposed Budget
  3. ↑ County Board Meetings
  4. ↑ County Board
  5. ↑ Home page, click on "departments" and choose the one you want.
  6. ↑ County Board
  7. ↑ Vital Records
  8. ↑ Property taxes
  9. ↑ Planning & Zoning
  10. ↑ Adams County Sheriff's Department fails Freedom of Information Council open records audit, Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, November 20, 2008
v • d • e
Counties in Wisconsin
Adams • Ashland • Barron • Bayfield • Brown • Buffalo • Burnett • Calumet • Chippewa • Clark • Columbia • Crawford • Dane • Dodge • Door • Douglas • Dunn • Eau Claire • Florence • Fond du Lac • Forest • Grant • Green • Green Lake • Iowa • Iron • Jackson • Jefferson • Juneau • Kenosha • Kewaunee • La Crosse • Lafayette • Langlade • Lincoln • Manitowoc • Marathon • Marinette • Marquette • Menominee • Milwaukee • Monroe • Oconto • Oneida • Outagamie • Ozaukee • Pepin • Pierce • Polk • Portage • Price • Racine • Richland • Rock • Rusk • Sauk • Sawyer • Shawano • Sheboygan • St. Croix • Taylor • Trempealeau • Vernon • Vilas • Walworth • Washburn • Washington • Waukesha • Waupaca • Waushara • Winnebago • Wood
Retrieved from "http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Adams_County,_Wisconsin"