Lake County, Florida
From Sunshine Review
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Lake County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Tavares is the county seat.
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is available.[1]
- County board meeting agendas and minutes are available.[2] Meeting dates are posted on the calendar.[3]
- County commissioners are listed with contact info.[4]
- Building permits[5] and zoning information are available.[6]
- Quarterly fiscal reports are available.[7]
- Awarded bids and contracts are available online.[8]
- Breaks down where your tax dollar goes.[9]
- Tax information is available.[10]
[edit] The bad
- Does not disclose if belongs to taxpayer-funded lobbying associations.
- Includes a public records search, but not how to make a public records request.[11]
[edit] Public Records
In late 2008 reporters organized by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors requested the most recent budget emails from central Florida county officials in order to audit the responses.
Lake County did not fare well, with no agencies able to immediately able to hand over requested emails. However, the Sheriff's Office and county administrator's office eventually complied after giving specific dates they would meet to provide the records.
Lake's school district did not meet the request. An official there asked for identification from the requesting party, along with a written request and signature of intent, providing no promise of any records. Lake County school superintendent Susan Moxley showed some concern. "I want to go back and research how we're doing business," she said. "I want to do my homework and my research on how we're currently handling requests if we're not in compliance. Obviously, we'll make whatever adjustments are necessary." [12]
See also public record requests meet with confusion in central Florida.
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
Lake County has reported more than $130,000 spent on lobbying between since 2002(see table). Lake County pays for services of the lobbying firm Alcade & Fay. [13]
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $10,000 |
| 2008 | - |
| 2007 | $40,000 |
| 2006 | $40,000 |
| 2005 | $40,000 |
| 2004 | Less than $10,000 |
| 2003 | Less than $10,000 |
| 2002 | Less than $10,000 |
[edit] Audits
For Lake County, the clerk or comptroller performs the internal audits.[15]
[edit] External links
- Official Lake County Website
- Lake County Clerk of Courts
- Lake County Property Appraiser
- Lake County on E-Reference
- Orlando Sentinel Lake County News
- Lake County Public Schools
- Lake County on Epodunk
[edit] References
- ↑ Budget
- ↑ Agendas and Minutes
- ↑ Calendar
- ↑ Commissioners
- ↑ Permits
- ↑ Zoning
- ↑ Fiscal Reports
- ↑ Contracts
- ↑ Tax Dollars
- ↑ Tax Collector
- ↑ Public Records Search
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, Public-records requests befuddle county staffs, November 22, 2008
- ↑ Client List
- ↑ Open Secrets
- ↑ PBC Clerk & Comptroller 5.30.07
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