Accountability & Sound Governance | The City of Lakewood, Ohio

Accountability & Sound Governance


Click here to make a public record request.


Transparency promotes accountability and sound governance and provides information for citizens about what their government is doing. Information maintained by the Lakewood City Government is a local asset in our community. Accountability and sound governance are also a part of Lakewood’s obligation to share information with its citizens.

Ohio Sunshine Laws

Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws, collectively known as the “Sunshine Laws,” give Ohioans access to government meetings and records. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office helps public officials and citizens understand their rights and responsibilities under these laws.

Ohio Open Meetings Act

The Open Meetings Act requires public bodies in Ohio to conduct all public business in open meetings that the public may attend and observe. This means that if a public body is meeting to discuss and vote on or otherwise decide public business, the meeting must be open to the public. ORC 121.22.

Ohio Attorney General’s FAQ’s regarding the Ohio Open Meetings Act:

What is the Ohio Open Meetings Act?

What is a public body, as defined in the Ohio Open Meetings Act?

What is a meeting, as defined in the Ohio Open Meetings Act?

What kind of notice should be given to the public when a meeting is planned?

Are detailed minutes required to be taken at a public meeting?

What are executive sessions, as defined in the Open Meetings Act, and when can they be used?

What can be done if a public body violates the Open Meetings Act?

What if I want more details about the Open Meetings Act?

Here is where you will find information on public records in general:

Public Records Policy

Public Records Act Overview by the Ohio Attorney General

Health care related record requests and documents produced

Eighth District Court of Appeals Opinion

Here is where you will find information on the city’s annual and monthly financial reports, city budgets and financial policies and strategies, the city’s checkbook and copies of 2018 contracts made with the city as well as other financial information:

City Finances

Ohio Checkbook

City Contracts

Here is where you will find public safety, public health and police records:

Police Portal

Police Call Logs

CrimeReports.com  (This is current through July 31, 2018.  The new police portal (coming soon) will offer more up-to-date information.)

Clean Water Lakewood Wet Weather Portal

Here is where you will find information on minutes and agendas of city council and city boards and commissions as well as city legislation and ordinances, legal notices and Requests for Proposals

Minutes & Agendas

Recently Passed Legislation

Lakewood Codified Ordinances

Historic Ordinances and Resolutions

Legal Notices

Requests for Proposals Bids and Contracting