Most records maintained by public entities are open for inspection and/or copying by individuals. Commonly requested records include: Ordinances, Resolutions, Minutes from Agendas, Salaries of Public Officials, and Budgets Information.
What to know when submitting a Public Records Request:
When possible, identify the records that you wish to request prior to completing the online request. Doing so will minimize the risk of the agency delaying access to the records with excuses like “too many records to look through to find yours” or “it will be far too expensive for us to do the search.” Remember, your constitutional right is to examine a document.
Follow the instructions in the online portal to formally request a public record from the City.
Public Records Request Portal
When possible, those requesting public records should go in person to the City offices and ask to examine the records they need, making your request as narrow and specific as possible.
After examining the records needed please submit a PDF request for public records.
Public Records Request Form(PDF, 130KB)
For remaining questions:
City Clerk Office
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: cityclerk@pointrussell.gov
A public record refers to information that has been recorded and/or filed by a public agency. They are the product of the Freedom of Information Act (or FOIA) that was passed in the United States in 1966 with the intention of providing transparency to the American people regarding anything touched by a government worker or tax dollar at any level of government.
Yes, an agency can charge for its costs in “gathering” and “copying” requested documents. The agency must give the requestor an estimate of the agency charges and is not obliged to gather or copy the document.
The City of Point Russell guarantees public access to all “public information” except information related to “individual or public safety or the security of public facilities, including public schools, jails, correctional facilities, private correctional facilities, and prisons, if release of the information jeopardizes the safety of facility personnel, the public, students in a public school, or inmates of a facility.”
The City of Point Russell standards requires the agency to “respond in a timely manner.” The agency must make the record available for examination and copying or provide the requestor with an estimate of the time and charges for accessing the information if it cannot be “readily identified and gathered.”
Council Agendas and Minutes
Public Disclosure Fee Schedule
Public Disclosure Resources