HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2010-R0095 - Provide Online Access To Check Register - 02/25/2010Resolution No. 2010-R0095
February 25, 2010
Item No. 6.6
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the great City of Lubbock, Texas, desires to be more financially
transparent; and
WHEREAS, taxpaying citizens pay for their government, and they deserve to
know how it spends their money; and
WHEREAS, state and federal governments are increasingly making financial
transparency a priority, opting to make many records freely accessible, rather than
leave the public waiting for information requests; and
WHEREAS, the people's government should open its books to the public so
that taxpayers can see exactly where their money is going, and transparency ensures
that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently by making all decisions in the open and on
the record, and transparency means that citizens can review and question
policymakers' decisions, examine documents, root out inefficiencies and hold
officials accountable for the way tax dollars are spent; and
WHEREAS, technology, and the Internet in particular, have changed the
expectations for customer service and government transparency at all levels, and in a
computer-based and Internet -based society government can no longer justify the
money and time required to print reports, and publishing information online means no
postage, no waiting for mail, up-to-date documents and worldwide accessibility; and
WHEREAS, the City can ensure greater accountability to the public by
demystifying municipal spending and providing easy access to financial information;
and
WHEREAS, a government entity is meeting the high standards of
transparency if it: opens its books to the public; provides a clear and consistent scope
of spending: provides information in an easily accessible, user-friendly format; and
allows taxpayers to easily locate detailed information; and
WHEREAS, transparency in government is generally defined as providing
online access to its budgets, financial reports, and check registers; and
WHEREAS, the great City of Lubbock, Texas, is already providing online
access to its budgets and financial information; and
WHEREAS, several Texas cities, counties, and school districts have already
posted their check register online; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
THAT the City Council of the great City of Lubbock, Texas resolves to
provide online access to its check register, to include the listing of line item
expenses showing the date, amount, payee, account type, and purchase order
number where applicable. It would be preferable if the check register is
searchable by vendor name and/or account type.
Passed by the City Council this 25th day of February , 2010.
TOM MARTIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Rebec3a Garza, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
John W. leonard III, Councilman