Fairhope, Alabama

From Sunshine Review

Fairhope is a city of about 16,618 population located in Baldwin County Alabama. The City's website is [1]. The City's finances have been a contentious political issue for at least 8 years because of several large capital projects, rapidly rising debt and other extensive borrowing; but especially during the 2008 election season. The City had been depending on its rapid growth for revenue (property taxes, building, impact, utility tap fees, etc.) until the 2007,08,09 recession forced severe budget cutbacks, increased utility rates, and a sales tax increase in 2009.

As of Jul. 1, 2009, the City's website is not being maintained as suggested by The Sunshine Review. [2]--although there has been some improvement since last month.

Website financial deficiencies include: (1) Budgets for previous years not posted; (2) Graphic features not incorporated: (3) Narrative features not incorporated; (4) City checkbook register not posted (with amount, payee, purpose, fund source, etc.); (5) Contracts(over $10,000) not posted

Other website problems: (1) Campaign contributions by vendors not posted; (2) Grants to non profit organizations not posted; (3) No annual rating of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) compliance

It should be noted the City Clerk's office is shorthanded (no assistant clerk) and the City's web server has been described as "outdated"-- possibly contributing to the problems.

It should be noted as well, at the present time (July 4, 2009), the local newspaper (Fairhope Courier) is complaining of having difficulty obtaining public documents from the City Administration concerning a recent police disciplinary matter.