St. Lucie County, Florida
From Sunshine Review
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St. Lucie County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Fort Pierce is the county seat.
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is published.[1]
- County commissioners are listed with contact information.[2]
- Board calendar[3] is posted, as well as minutes and agendas.[4]
- Annual financial report is posted.[5]
- Building permits[6] and zoning information[7] is provided.
- Contracts are online.[8]
- Provides an official records search function, does not say how to make a public records request.[9]
- Local tax information is provided.[10]
[edit] The bad
- Does not disclose if belongs to taxpayer-funded lobbying associations.
[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.
St Lucie County failed the audit because an employee asked the requestor why they wanted the e-mails. The law does not require those requesting public documents to give a reason as to why they want them. County Sheriff Ken Mascara said that this was a mistake made by an overzealous employee. [11]
See also public record requests meet with confusion in central Florida.
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
St. Lucie County has reported more than $367,100 spent on lobbying since 2000 (see table).
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $30,000 |
| 2008 | $80,000 |
| 2007 | $20,000 |
| 2006 | $40,000 |
| 2005 | $40,000 |
| 2004 | $37,100 |
| 2003 | $40,000 |
| 2002 | $40,000 |
| 2001 | $40,000 |
| 2000 | Less than $10,000 |
[edit] Audits
For St. Lucie County, the clerk or comptroller performs the internal audits.[13]
[edit] External links
- Official Saint Lucie County Website
- St. Lucie County Clerk of Court
- St. Lucie County Property Appraiser
- St. Lucie County on E-Reference
- St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
- St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections
- St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce
[edit] References
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