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any user can enter a search lerm and access relevant video one to co�nt up attendance of elected officials,"Solomon
<br /> cl�ps,s�pporting documents and records of votes says "Now reporters obtain that informat�on simply by click-
<br /> ing on the name of any council member. The speed with
<br /> Gains for Governments and Citizens which the information �s shared,and the level of deta�l provided,
<br /> �3y implementing tools designed to streamlme these typ�cally Is on a completely different level than before we�mplemented
<br /> manual processes,and by takmg advantage of popular commu- th�s software"
<br /> nicahons channels,governments can build closer,more trust�ny Atlas Township, Mich, also has been usmg a legislative
<br /> relationships w�th c�t�zens while also reduc�ng costs and leav�ng rnanagernent solution s�nce 2013 The system makes �t easy
<br /> staff with more time to focus on b�siness-cntical activities to assernble and email mfon�ation packets to members of
<br /> Citizens and local b�smess owners can more eas�ly the board of trustees before meetmgs and create minutes,
<br /> obta�n �nformation about legislative activities And because says Townsh�p Clerk Tere Onica�
<br /> �t relles on the Internet,th�s strategy can also help carry a C�t�zens also can v�ew the p�ckets, along w�th resolutions,
<br /> community's message far beyond its own�urisdiction When contracts and other docurnents related to agenda �tems,
<br /> publ�c mformation and economic developrnent officials want through the townsh�p's webs�te Once they rece�ve th�s mfor-
<br /> to convey a sense of the comrnun�ty's character,they can mat�on, at�zens can, and often do, contact elected of ic�als
<br /> po�nt bus�ness owners developers, convention planners and to ask abo�,t agenda �tems, even before the rneet�ng begins,
<br /> others to the puhlic port�i On�ca says
<br /> Because the system indexes all the material it stores,On�ca
<br /> A Closer View fmds�t easy to respond to requests for archived doc,�ments
<br /> Here are two examples of cominunities that use legis- lhere's no need tu root around in files,she quickly locates the
<br /> lat�ve management software and the Internet to �ncrease requested doc�ments�n the system and pr�nts them "It is always
<br /> transparency and trust better for the public if I don't have to take extra time out of my day
<br /> Providence, R.I., implemented a legislative management to locate docurnents or charge them for their Freedom of Informa-
<br /> solution m late 2013.Among many other functions, the soft- hon Act(FOIA)request,"she says.Altematively,citi�ens can go to
<br /> warc allows the c�ty to upload digital audio recordmgs of city the website to f�nd the documents themselves
<br /> counc�l comm�ttee meetmgs to a server in the cloud When people can get the�nformation they wanl w�thoui
<br /> "1 hose recorc�mgs are always accessible on our Open Meot- filliny ouf a form, paying a fee and wait�ng f ve days,they gain
<br /> mgs f'orlal wilhin a day affer the meeting,and often immediately more trust in their govemment,Onica says "People know you're
<br /> aflt;r,"says Gry Counc�l�'res�dent M�chael Solomon ' Users can not h�ding anyth�ng when �t�s all out there where they can see�t.
<br /> access the portal v�a computer,tabiet or mobile phone We are work�ng towards�7�akmg more�nformat�on available and
<br /> CiUzens interested in meetings sign up to receive the accessible for p,�blic review"
<br /> same information packets that go to elected c�ty off�aals via C�t�zens today expect conven�ent access to yovernment
<br /> ema�l In pr�nt form,those packets would have been several E3y�s�ng the Internet and mobile technology to share
<br /> �nches th�ck C�t�zens can visit the portal to access minutes, �nformation about legislative activities, a community opens
<br /> attendance and voting records, and audio recordmgs. its inner work�ngs for all citizens to see. As that sense of
<br /> "In years past,o�r office had to comp�le dozens of sets of openness breeds trust, it becornes a powerful force for
<br /> paper min�tes for�ournalists who went through thern one by prosperity and growtn
<br /> Endnotes
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