The tracking system provides a structured, consistent framework for recording City Council actions, including ordinances, resolutions, and motions. It captures not only final outcomes, but also individual votes, amendments, public input, and real-world impacts of decisions.

Designed to support both reporting and long-term analysis, the log allows for tracking voting patterns over time, identifying policy trends, and building a clearer picture of how local decisions affect the community.

A transparent public record displaying how each city council member voted on official measures, providing residents with clear insight into local decision‑making and accountability.

The log can be accessed here: Fort Collins City Council Voting Record

The Fort Collins Report will use the tracking log internally for its weekly coverage and plans to expand its use into future public-facing tools, including vote databases, visual dashboards, and long-term issue tracking.

How to Use the Tool:

1. Understanding the Spreadsheet Layout

Each row represents a single vote or agenda item, and each column contains specific details.

Typical columns may include:

  • Date – Meeting date
  • Agenda Item / Title – Name of the ordinance or issue
  • Description – Brief explanation of the measure
  • Council Member Columns – Individual votes (Yes / No / Abstain)
  • Outcome – Passed or Failed

2. Using the Search Function (Find Tool)

Excel allows you to quickly locate specific information using the built-in Find feature.

Steps to Search:

  1. Press Ctrl + F (Windows) or Cmd + F (Mac)
  2. In the search box, enter a keyword such as:
    • A topic (budget, housing, etc.)
    • A council member’s name
    • An ordinance number
  3. Press Enter to jump to the first match
  4. Use Find Next to move through results

Tips:

  • Use short keywords for better matches
  • Try multiple variations if needed
  • The search scans all visible sheet content

3. Using Filters to Narrow Results

Filters allow you to display only relevant rows.

How to Apply Filters:

  1. Click anywhere in the header row
  2. Select Data → Filter (or click the filter icon)
  3. Use dropdown arrows in each column to:
    • Show only certain dates or topics
    • Filter by vote (e.g., show only “No” votes)
    • Narrow results by outcome (Passed/Failed)

4. Sorting Data

Sorting helps you organize records.

To Sort:

  • Click a column header (e.g., Date or Title)
  • Select:
    • Sort A to Z (ascending)
    • Sort Z to A (descending)

Example uses:

  • Sort by Date to see most recent votes
  • Sort by Agenda Item alphabetically

5. Expanding or Viewing Full Details

Excel doesn’t “expand” rows like a database tool, but you can view full details in these ways:

Method 1: Expand Column Width

  • Hover between column headers
  • Drag to widen the column
  • This reveals more text in the cell

Method 2: Wrap Text

  1. Select a column or cells
  2. Click Home → Wrap Text
  3. Content will display on multiple lines

Method 3: View Formula Bar

  • Click a cell with long text
  • View the full content in the formula bar at the top

Method 4: Double-Click Cell

  • Double-click a cell to read or edit the full entry

6. Freezing Headers for Easier Navigation

Keep column headers visible while scrolling:

  1. Click the row below the header
  2. Go to View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Top Row

7. Best Practices

  • Use Find (Ctrl/Cmd + F) for quick lookups
  • Apply filters before analyzing voting patterns
  • Sort by date or topic to identify trends
  • Expand columns or wrap text for full context
  • Compare rows to evaluate consistency across votes

8. Example Use Cases

  • Find how a specific council member voted on housing issues
  • Identify all votes passed in a specific year
  • Compare outcomes across similar agenda items