Fairhope, Alabama
 B-
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The city's finances had improved by 2010 resulting in an up-graded bond rating (partly due to the area's relatively affluent demographics and room for increased taxation), but falling home values (property taxes) and effects from the BP oil disaster may hit the city hard next year. Cost-cutting measures by the City Council are ongoing (ie. reducing health costs, the possible privatizing of garbage collection, etc.), but the city still faces long term capital needs (ie. a new sewage treatment plant, road paving, etc.)
In August of 2010, the local newspaper complained about being denied access to records concerning legal fees paid by the city and disclosed that contracts with attorneys representing the city had not been executed in writing as required by state law.
Finances had improved significantly by the first quarter of 2011 and cash on hand had doubled.
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Alabama city websites
[edit] The good
- As of Jul. 1, 2009, the City's website is not being maintained as suggested by The Sunshine Review. [2]
- In January 2010 the City Council began (audio) recording its meetings as well as Planning and Zoning.
- Contact information is listed for Administrative staff.[1]
- Contact information, including e-mail addresses, is listed for elected officials.[2]
- Contract bids are listed on the website (solicitations only).[3]
- Meeting minutes for the past 3 years are archived.[4]
- Budget and audit information is listed on the site.[5]
- Permit and license forms are posted on the website.[6]
[edit] The bad
- Website financial deficiencies include: (1) Graphic features not incorporated: (2) Narrative features not incorporated; (3) City checkbook register not posted (with amount, payee, purpose, fund source, etc.); (4) Contracts (over $10,000) not posted
- Campaign contributions by vendors not posted; (1) Grants to non profit organizations not posted; (2) No annual rating of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) compliance
- The City's web server has been described as "outdated".[citation needed]
- No disclosure if the city is a member of taxpayer-funded lobbying associations.
- City Committee Membership is out of date and the Street and Traffic Committee is not listed at all.
