STAFF REPORTS


WILLIAMSVILLE — Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government will release an updated local government website report and report grading the websites of local authorities at 10 a.m. Tuesday inside Williamsville Village Hall, 5565 Main St.

A press release from the group says that in 2017, 14 out of 16 local governments received an F grade due to their failure to:

  • post meeting agendas and minutes in a timely fashion
  • display FOIL information on their home page in a visible location
  • post financial disclosure forms for elected officials

In 2018, the grades for local governments have improved but we still have a long way to go. In 2018, 10 out of 16 local governments received a failing grade.

This year 14 local authorities such as the Erie County Water Authority, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, Niagara Falls Water Board, etc. were rated and the group says “the scores were shameful” with 13 out of 14 authorities received a failing grade.

The Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government is calling for amendments to the New York State Open Meetings Law and for the New York State Comptroller to perform audits to monitor and enforce compliance with the Open Meetings Law and the Freedom of Information Act.

For more information about the Coalition, visit www.nyopengov.org.