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Alexandria, Virginia

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Budget Y
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Meetings Y
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Elected Officials P
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Administrative Officials Y
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Permits, zoning Y
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Audits Y
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Contracts P
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Lobbying Y
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Public records Y
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Local taxes Y
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School district websites
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Transparency grading process


Alexandria is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is considered a county-equivalent for census purposes. http://sunshinestandard.org
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Contents

[edit] Website evaluation

In 2011, the Alexandria earned a Sunny Award for having a perfect website transparency score.

Last rated on Fed. 2, 2012

[edit] The good

  • Current budget is published.[1]
  • Meetings are are listed on the calendar.[2] Dockets, webcasts, and podcasts are available for download.[3]
  • Zoning ordinance available in municipal code.[4]
  • Building permits available.[5]
  • Information and forms to request records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act is provided.[6]
  • Annual financial audit available.[7]
  • Has a comprehensive guide to local taxes.[8]
  • Administrative officials are listed with contact information.[9]
  • Bids for future contracts are posted, current contracts are not online.[10]
  • Includes a link to the Virginia Municipal League, which lists the city as a member [11]

[edit] The bad

  • City council members are listed with methods of contact,[12] but email communication is only available through a web form.
  • Current contracts are not online.

[edit] Alexandria Police Department

According to an investigation by Connections Newspaper reporter Michael Pope, the police departments of Fairfax County, Alexandria, and Arlington are among the most secretive and non-transparent in the country. According to the reports, the departments' interpretation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in effect allows them reject nearly all information requests. [13] [14]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Budget
  2. ↑ Calendar
  3. ↑ Meeting Information
  4. ↑ Municipal Code
  5. ↑ Permits
  6. ↑ FOIA Procedures
  7. ↑ Accounting
  8. ↑ Guide to Taxes
  9. ↑ Contact Us
  10. ↑ Procurement
  11. ↑ Local Government Members
  12. ↑ Council
  13. ↑ "Trust Me: You Can Trust Us", Reason Magazine, August 30, 2010
  14. ↑ "Transparency Blackout: Police departments in Northern Virginia refuse to release public documents", Alexandria Gazette Packet, March 18, 2010
Retrieved from "http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Alexandria,_Virginia"
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