Non-profit finds problems with county Web sites

Most Iowa counties don't have informative, transparent Web sites, according to a new analysis by a Chicago non-profit that tracks government transparency.

The Sam Adams Alliance graded every Iowa county Web site in what it calls a “Sunshine Review.” Good grades were given to counties that post budgets, meeting agendas and minutes, specific contact information for elected and appointed officials, building code and permit procedures and forms, contracts, audits and other public records, lobbying connections and facts about taxes.

“The Sunshine Review community believes every county in the nation has a responsibility to make basic information easily available to the taxpayer,” Kristin McMurray, managing editor of Sunshine Review, said in a statement.

Overall, Iowa counties got a grade of D.

Linn and Scott counties were two of five who received a B-minus, the highest grade any county earned. Johnson County was given a C-minus.

Up to 19 counties don't have Web sites, including Winneshiek and Van Buren.

Delaware and Jones counties received grades of C-minus; Benton, Iowa, Cedar and Clayton received grades of D-minus; and Fayette, Allamakee, Winneshiek and Washington counties received Fs.

The Sunshine Review is a wiki Web site that collects and shares information. It isn't perfectly up-to-date or accurate. It gives Buchanan County an F for not having a Web site, even though the county has a site that meets several of the review's criteria.