Utah’s Records Transparency Websites Have a New Look!

Government records are the property of the state (Utah Code 63A-12-105(1)). The public has a right to open and fair access to records that are classified as public. At the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, we take transparency very seriously. Our Open Government team maintains two important websites for the state of Utah: the Utah Public Notice Website,

As noted in the last blog in this series, the Utah State Archives was born as an office in the State Historical Society, before being moved out and on its own as part of the state’s Little Hoover Commission study on government organization. This move became official in 1969 when the “Archives and Records Service Act” was passed and the

This guest post is written by Glen Fairclough who is the administrator of the Utah Public Notice Website. From time to time, people ask whether documents posted on the Utah Public Notice Website are ever removed. The answer to that question has changed. From its inception in 2008, the practice was to make all documents available through the website. Given

Endangered Data A healthy democracy relies on an active and informed citizenry, which in turn depends on transparent government and open access to information. Today, this reality is under constant threat, whether from the fragile nature of digital data or the ongoing risk that information can be easily removed from the public domain. Threats like these demand a greater awareness and accountability

     When the Utah Public Notice Website (UPNW) was launched in 2008, government agencies were required to post on the site only notices and meeting agenda prior to open and public meetings. The requirement of what “public information” must be posted has been expanded.      Website enhancements now permit public bodies to attach approved minutes, audio recordings, and other materials

Public Notice Website Registering and Posting Utah’s public bodies are required to post notices of open meetings and other public notices on the Public Notice Website. Previously, municipalities, local districts, and special service districts with an annual budget of less than $1,000,000 were exempt from posting notices of public meetings, although they were encouraged to do so. As of January 1,