What is the California Public Records Act?
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) is a statute that affords the public the right to inspect, and be provided a copy of, most of the written information retained by local agencies in the course of business. The CPRA regulates the public’s access to records and sets out the specific statutory circumstances under which particular records need not be disclosed. The Act does not require the City to provide information, answer questions, or create records that do not exist.

Learn more:

• Public Records Act general provisions - California Government Code Sections 7921.000 - 7921.010.
• Exemptions from disclosure - California Government Code Sections 7930.000 - 7930.215.
• More information on the California Public Records Act from the California League of Cities.

Is the CPRA related to the Freedom of Information Act?
Persons who request access to public records frequently reference the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as the basis for their request. The FOIA is a federal statute that does not apply to local government - it applies to agencies of the federal government. However, the CPRA was modeled after the FOIA, and it functions in a similar manner.

How do I make a Public Records request?
The City of Davis uses NextRequest to facilitate a public records request. Please visit the City's Public Records Request Web Portal  to make your request.

How soon must the City respond to my request?
You will be notified within ten (10) days whether your request seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the City.

Records identified as responsive to your PRA request will be available electronically through the City's Public Records Request Web Portal.

In general, public records that are only available in hard copy will be compiled and made open for inspection upon appointment during regular office hours. The Office of the City Clerk is located in City Hall at 23 Russell Boulevard, Suite 1, Davis, CA 95616.

Campaign Disclosure Statements

The California Political Reform Act (Gov. Code § 84100) requires the filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements by any person or combination of persons who will be raising or spending money in local elections.

 If you have questions about what you are required to file, where to file it, or when to file it, please visit the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website or call toll free at 1-866-ASK-FPPC.

How do I File Statements?
The City has implemented an electronic filing system to ensure that contributions and expenditures in city elections are disclosed and made available to the public.

Access to the public portal and committee filer portals may be found below:

• Public Transparency Portal to View Campaign Committee Filed Forms:
  City of Davis eCampaign Public Access
   
• Campaign Committee Portal to File Campaign Forms:
  City of Davis eCampaign System Filer Portal

Note: In order to file campaign statements, please contact 530-757-5648 or clerkweb@cityofdavis.org to request an account creation. 

Conflict of Interest Code

The California Political Reform Act (Gov. Code § 81000) requires government agencies to adopt a Conflict of Interest Code to regulate who within their agency is required to file statements of economic interests, and what types of financial interests they must disclose. Disclosure is determined based on the position’s level of decision-making.

• City of Davis Conflict of Interest Code (adopted 11/12/24)
   

Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interest

Certain employees and public officials must disclose their personal financial information on a Statement of Economic Interests Form 700, as designated in the City of Davis Conflict of Interest Code. The intent of the Form 700 is to ensure that decision makers are not using their authority to affect personal financial interests.

Form 700s are filed on an annual basis, and upon assuming or leaving office. The City uses an electronic filing system for conflict of interest disclosure statements. Access to the public portal to review filed forms, and for individuals to file forms may be found via the links below:

• City of Davis DisclosureDocs Access (Public Portal)
   
• City of Davis eDisclosure System (For Form 700 Filers)
   

Form 806 - Public Official Appointments

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires each agency to post Form 806 (pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18705.5). Form 806 reports additional compensation that officials receive when appointing themselves to positions on other boards, commissions or committees of a public agency, special district, and joint power agency/authorities.

• Form 806 - Public Agency Reporting

Meeting agendas for the City Council and all City commissions and committees are posted online. Members of the public may also sign up to receive eNotifications when agendas are posted.

View Meeting Agendas

California police departments are required (Penal Code § 13650) to post departmental operating procedures and other related information on their website.

View the Police Department Manual

The current and previous City budgets are available for review, as well as other financial reporting documents such as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and fee schedules for all City services. Additionally, the City's budget is presented using OpenGov, a powerful interactive tool that provides visualizations of the City’s financial data in a user-friendly, graphic format.

View the City Budget and Financial Reporting Information

Proposition 4 (1979) added Article XIIIB to the California State Constitution, which established an appropriations limit on the state and most local governments. These limits are also referred to as “Gann Limits” in reference to one of the measure’s coauthors. The fundamental purpose of the Gann Limit is to keep real (inflation adjusted) per person government spending under 1978‑79 levels. The measure requires that a complex series of calculations be performed each year to compare appropriations to the limit.

View the Annual Appropriations Limit Calculations

The California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) requires member agencies to periodically update and approve a citywide salary table to be posted on the agency's website. California Government Code Section 53908 requires local agencies to report certain compensation information for their elected officials, officers, and employees to the State Controller.

View Salary Tables and Compensation Information

The City of Davis periodically negotiates Memorandums of Understanding with employee groups that address employee compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

View Employee Group Memorandums of Understanding

California Government Code Section 7922.700 - 7922.725 requires local agencies to create catalogs of all enterprise systems that store information about the public, and to post this catalog on their websites.

View the Catalog of Enterprise Systems