Cedar Rapids documents, contracts, records now searchable online

CEDAR RAPIDS - A greater spectrum of Cedar Rapids public records, such as contracts, ordinances and public meeting documents, are now available online to search and view.

The new search tool can be accessed on the city's website at Cedar-Rapids.org/local_government/public_records. The content can be viewed on computers and mobile devices, according to a city news release.

'The city of Cedar Rapids is committed to sharing information with citizens, and utilizing new technology to make the process simple,” according to the news release. 'The new Public Access Viewer tool will make finding City Council documents easy and convenient for residents.”

Included are:

- Contracts since 2001

- Resolutions since 2001

- Ordinances since 2001

- Council meeting agendas since 1994

- Council packets since May 2015

- Council meeting minutes since 1989

Documents are not available for perusing, but rather the user must use keywords to search for documents and information.

City Council meeting documents from 2012 to the present are still available for perusing on the meeting documents page, but the new search includes these materials from past years as well.

Last fall, the city launched another online tool to access public financial information, such as spending on streets projects or local income sales tax revenue. The financial search tool is through a program called OpenGov. It is available at Cedar-Rapids.org, search 'OpenGov.”

Records not available on the website can be requested through the City Clerk's Office in person, by mail at 101 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; by email at cityclerk@cedar-rapids.org, or by phone at (319) 286-5060. Fees apply for some requests, including those requiring more than 30 minutes to fulfill or for results that cannot be delivered electronically.

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com