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Nez Perce is a good example - although they have not yet produced digital
financial statements, they have provided budgets for the last five (5)
years. Also, they have a rather complete presentation of the
Comprehensive Plan, the Ordinances and other supporting materials.
They are ahead of us by alot. For those that want to check it out
for themselves, here is the link:<br><br>
<a href="http://www.co.nezperce.id.us/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.co.nezperce.id.us/<br><br>
</a>Pdf would be a good format and the auditor should provide that
without charge or a very minimal charge.<br><br>
You raise another issue - I don't know who is doing the write up and
compilation work for the financial statements. In concept, the
financial statements should be prepared by the staff and management of
the governmental entity as their assertion of the fiscal status of the
entity. This set of assertions should then be audited by the
independent CPA. The auditor attests to the fairness of the
presentation in accordance with generally accepted governmental
accounting standards.<br><br>
All too often, governmental entities do not have the staff fully trained
in governmental accounting to provide the appropriate compilation of the
financial statements - and engage the audit firm to prepare the
statements for them. This does create some "control"
issues for the process - generally I do not find this arrangement to be
of consequence - but it could be! I don't know what the process is
for Latah County.<br><br>
At 11:20 AM 1/29/2005, you wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Jeff,<br><br>
Unless budget/financial sheet software has changed significantly since my
tenure at the courthouse, it would not be available in a digital format
that could be accessed by other users. At that time (pre-PC, mainframe
only) it was proprietary software, not off the shelf. Given the inertia
of local government, it is more likely to have been tweaked rather than
replaced over the years but I could certainly be wrong. Wouldn't be the
first time.<br><br>
Not sure if you're referring to the annual audit when discussing the
CAFR, but if so, back then it was prepared and delivered by the outside
auditor in hard copy which would require copying and subsequent fee. I
don't see any reason these days that report couldn't be formatted to pdf
as a part of the audit contract.<br><br>
I've gone down with this ship before, but I'll say it again: to address
the valid issues that you raise requires both clear direction from county
commissioners who can devote enough time to the work of the office to
achieve the consensus necessary (full-time in my opinion), trained staff
and the monetary resource to devote the time needed. Space at the
courthouse to breathe would help, too. Kootenai County, with its
explosive growth rate, much greater population and subsequent increase in
property tax base is not the county I would choose for comparison. How is
Nez Perce County handling these information issues?<br><br>
Mark Solomon<br><br>
At 10:21 AM -0800 1/29/05, Jeff Harkins wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Thanks Bill and Mark for this
thread.<br><br>
One of my principle concerns about our local government has been their
reluctance to utilize their websites to improve their community
communication relations.<br><br>
Last year, I wanted the financial statements for Latah County (not the
summaries, but the full General Purpose Financial Statements) - this year
I would like to see the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report). No copies were available, but at a cost of $15 each, I
could acquire the statements. At best, that represents a difficulty
for citizens wanting to explore the fiscal status of the County in
depth. In the worst case, it precludes lower income folks from
having reasonable access.<br><br>
On another point, none of the current operational documents are
online. As most are aware, there are numerous issues pertaining to
the Comprehensive Long Range Plan and proposed ordinances to that
plan. At a minimum, the current Long Range Plan should be online -
as well as all the current ordinances. None are available at this
time.<br><br>
I direct your attention to the website for Kootenai County at this
link:<br><br>
<a href="http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/</a><br><br>
Not exactly rocket science to have a fully supportive website - please
note the current financial statements are given high visibility and
Comprehensive Plan, ordinances and proposed ordinances are all
available.<br><br>
We are fortunate to have a good population of talented website designers
in our area and the costs of providing a good website are low. So
why isn't it there ?<br><br>
At 09:46 AM 1/29/2005, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font size=2>M-<br>
regarding your suggestion that City of Moscow post all agendas and
notices to V2020....<br>
not only is this common sense, but also a suggestion that has gone to
both city and county governments for years...with some results (note that
the county commissioners and city council meeting agendas are posted to
V2020).<br>
could the city/county post more? sure.<br>
maybe many V2020 subscribers could ask them to do so.<br>
Contact Gary Riedner at city hall....<br>
BL</font>
<dl>
<dd>----- Original Message -----<br>
<dd>From: <a href="mailto:FCS@moscow.com">Mark Seman</a><br>
<dd>To: <a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">Vision2020</a><br>
<dd>Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 4:45 PM<br>
<dd>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Moscow Animal Ordinances<br>
<br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">Kit & V2020,</font><br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> </font><br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">This is the first time Ive heard about
this revision effort. I put in a fair amount of effort to stay
informed of whats going on around town, but routinely visiting the
citys web-site is not my habit. Ive suggested that ALL city
notices, agendas, etc. be posted on V2020 as a way to distribute
information (especially I input is being solicited), rather than forcing
the public to search it out. From my perspective, the technology is
here and it is not a significant effort to send a web page to the
community listserve (or others if there is more than one.) It may
end up being like spam, but its useful to the community. By the
way, I appreciate the info postings the sheriffs office has been sending
out. Is this idea whack or common sense?</font><br>
<br>
<br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> </font><br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080">Mark</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">* * * * * * * * * *
*</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">Mark Seman,
Architect</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">Heather Seman,
Landscape Architect</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">Full Circle
Studios</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">1404 East 'F'
Street</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">Moscow, Idaho
83843</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">v
208-883-3276</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">f
208-883-0112</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#000080">FCS@Moscow.com</font>
<br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> </font><br><br>
<dd><font size=2 color="#000080"> </font><br><br>
<dd><font size=2>-----Original Message-----<br>
<dd>From: vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [
<a href="mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com%5DOn" eudora="autourl">
mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com]On</a> Behalf Of Kit Craine<br>
<dd>Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 2:09 PM<br>
<dd>To: Saundra Lund<br>
<dd>Cc: vision2020@moscow.com<br>
<dd>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow Animal Ordinances</font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> </font><br><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Saundra,<br>
<br>
<dd>These are the result of a request I made to council during an open
mic period back in September, after my Old Dog and I were attacked one to
many times on public sidewalks by dogs that were legally loose in their
front yards at the time they decided to get us.<br>
<br>
<dd>My concern was requiring that dogs be confined, tethered, or leashed
at all time so pedestrians (and old dogs) can walk anywhere in town
without having to worry about collecting fang-holes. Randy Fife went a
step farther and recommended a complete revision of the animal control
ordinance. That was a good idea because the existing code is a bit out of
date. For example, it is more concerned with grazing animals being herded
down alleys than whether dogs are being fed and watered.<br><br>
<dd>The versions that are online are meant to generate discussion. At the
last Administrative Committee meeting, the discussion focused on having a
subcommittee that could throughly discuss and evaluate various topics.
Hopefully, it would have people from a variety of viewpoints so any
revisions can carry Moscow forward for many years to come.<br>
<br>
<dd>Kit Craine</font>
<dd><font color="#000080"> </font><br><br>
<hr>
<dd>_____________________________________________________<br>
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<dd> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. <br>
<dd>
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http://www.fsr.net
</a> <br>
<dd>
<a href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</a><br>
<dd>/////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>
</dl>_____________________________________________________<br>
List services made available by First Step Internet,<br>
serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. <br>
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http://www.fsr.net
</a> <br>
<a href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</a><br>
ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ</blockquote>
</blockquote><br>
_____________________________________________________<br>
List services made available by First Step Internet, <br>
serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
<br>
<a href="http://www.fsr.net /" eudora="autourl">
http://www.fsr.net
</a> <br>
<a href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</a><br>
ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ</blockquote></body>
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