Colorado Legislative Council Staff

LOCAL

CONDITIONAL FISCAL NOTE

No State General Fund Impact

Local Government Expenditure Impact


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-549

Rep. S. Johnson

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

January 23, 1998

House Local Government

Steve Tammeus (866-2756)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ AUTHORITY TO PUBLISH CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION USING THE INTERNET.



Summary of Legislation


STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Other Fund



 



 

State Expenditures

General Fund

Other Fund


 


 

FTE Position Change

None

None

Local Government Impact — The bill will reduce county expenditures if a board of commissioners elects to post information via the Internet rather than publish the information in a legal newspaper.


            This bill provides a definition of “Internet” and allows boards of county commissioners the option of using the Internet to post for 30 days the following information that is currently required to be published in a legal newspaper:

 

               a report of each claim and expenditure allowed and paid by the board, taxes rebated, and contracts for the expenditure of money not paid immediately by the board;

               salary information for all county employees and officials; and

               the county’s semiannual financial statements.


            This bill will not affect state revenue or expenditures. The bill will, however, reduce county expenditures if a board of commissioners elects to post information via the Internet rather than publish the information in a legal newspaper. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having a conditional local government fiscal impact.


            The bill will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the ninety-day period after adjournment sine die of the General Assembly, or on the date of the official declaration of the vote of the people as proclaimed by the Governor, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to Article V, Section 1 (3) of the State Constitution.



Local Government Impact


            Under current law, county governments are required to publish the following information in at least one legal newspaper in the county or in an adjacent county:

 

               at least monthly and within 30 days following the end of the fiscal period - a report of each claim and expenditure allowed and taxes rebated, including the names of individuals or firms, a description of the services or materials furnished, and the funding source; and, a statement of contracts disclosing the nature and purpose of the contracts, the parties involved, and the amounts involved;

               twice annually - salary information for all county employees and officials, including the county wide average percentage of salary that is paid as fringe benefits;

               semiannually - the county financial statement, including fund balances and accounting as provided by the county treasurer.


             This bill allows a county board of commissioners to elect to post these reports via the Internet which would reduce, or eliminate, county expenditures for publishing these reports. Jefferson County currently expends approximately $25,000 annually to publish employee salaries and warrants; Arapahoe County expends approximately $15,000 annually for all publications; and Montrose and Rio Grande Counties expend approximately $500 and $400 respectively to annually publish employee salaries. The costs to publish these reports via the Internet are expected to be substantially less.



Spending Authority


            This fiscal note would imply that no new state appropriations or spending authority are required to implement the provisions of this bill in FY 1998-99.



Departments Contacted


            Local Affairs