How to request public records?
The City of Clarkston is committed to conducting City business in a manner that complies with all legal requirements, fosters residents’ confidence in City government, and promotes efficient and effective governmental operations. The City recognizes the importance of communicating information to the residents and other interested parties and will cooperate in supplying requested information which is considered a matter of public record. Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (OCGA 50-18-71 et seq.) and the City of Clarkston Records Policy, the City Clerk’s Office provides copies of public records.
Accessible documents will be made available within three business days from the request. When some documents are available and some are not immediately accessible, the requestor will be notified to allow immediate access to the available documents.
The Georgia Open Records Act also exempts certain records from public access. If the records you request are exempt, you will be provided information in writing that details why the records will not be provided. If portions of the records you request are exempt, the exempt information will be redacted (indicated by a blank area) from the document.
What are public records?
Public records are created or received by the City of Clarkston or any of its employees in transaction of public business or in accordance with the law. Public records are records of the city, and are to be created, maintained, and disposed of according to this policy and/or any procedures authorized by it—and in no other manner.
Public records include:
- Documents
- Papers
- Letters
- Books
- Maps
- Photographs
- Sound or video recordings
- Microfilm
- Magnetic tape
- Electronic media
- Any other media
Public records also include any other information regardless of physical form, and regardless of whether or not public access to it is open.
Fees associated with fulfilling public records requests
There may be copying and/or administrative fees associated with honoring public records requests, to the extent permitted by Georgia Law.
These fees may include a $.10/page copying charge, and/or administrative charges to search for and retrieve the record(s), among other costs. If you’d like a color copy of a public record, fees vary depending on the type and size of paper. Large-format drawings start at $5.00 for a 22” by 34” depiction.
The requester is not charged for the first fifteen minutes of time and administrative charges cannot exceed the salary of the lowest paid full-time employee, who will have the necessary skills and training to perform your request (as decided by the custodian of the records).