Lee County, Florida
From Sunshine Review
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Lee County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Fort Myers is the county seat.
Lee's population as of 2007 was 615,741. It is one of 20 charter counties in the state. It became a charter county in 1996.[1]
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is available.[2]
- Meeting agenda and transcripts are posted. [3]
- County commissioners are listed with contact information.[4]
- Internal audits are available[5], along with other financial reports.[6]
- Local tax information is posted.[7]
- Building permits[8] and zoning information is online.[9]
- Current contracts are listed and documents can be downloaded.[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]
- Still levies property taxes.
[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.
Lee County passed the audit with only minor missteps. [12] "Lee County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Larry King said one of the reasons the agency’s public information office graded so well is because of the experience on the staff." [13]
See also public record requests meet with confusion in central Florida.
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
Lee County has reported $480,000 spent on lobbying since 2004 (see table).
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $60,000 |
| 2008 | $120,000 |
| 2007 | $80,000 |
| 2006 | $60,000 |
| 2005 | - |
| 2004 | $160,000 |
[edit] Audits
For Lee County, the clerk or comptroller performs the internal audits.[15]
[edit] External links
- Official Lee County Website
- Lee County Clerk of Courts
- Lee County Property Appraiser
- Lee County on E-Reference
- Lee County Sheriff's Office
- Lee County Chamber of Commerce
- Lee County School District
- Lee County on Epodunk
[edit] References
- ↑ Florida's charter counties
- ↑ Budget
- ↑ BOCC Meeting Agendas
- ↑ Commissioners
- ↑ Audits
- ↑ Financial Reports
- ↑ Tax Collector
- ↑ Permits
- ↑ Zoning
- ↑ Contracts
- ↑ Public Records Search
- ↑ Editorial: Education needed on records law, The News Press, November 22, 2008
- ↑ Lee County's records prove to be open book, The News Press, November 22, 2008
- ↑ Open Secrets
- ↑ PBC Clerk & Comptroller 5.30.07
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