Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides for public access to certain public records of public bodies; permits certain fees; prescribes the powers and duties of certain public officers and public bodies; provides remedies and penalties; and repeals certain acts and parts of acts.
Inspection of Records Policy
Upon receiving a verbal request to inspect township records, the township shall furnish the requesting person with a reasonable opportunity and reasonable facilities to inspect and examine its public records.
A person shall be allowed to inspect public records during usual business hours, not less than four hours per day. The public does not have unlimited access to township offices or facilities, and a person may be required to inspect records at a specified counter or table, in the presence of township personnel.
Township officials, appointees, staff, or consultants/contractors assisting with the inspection of public records shall inform any person inspecting records that only pencils, and no pens or ink, may be used to take notes.
In coordination with the official responsible for the records, the FOIA coordinator shall determine on a case-by-case basis when the township will provide copies of original records, to allow for blacking out exempt information, to protect old or delicate original records, or because the original record is a digital file or database not available for public inspection.
The Clerk is responsible for identifying if records or information requested by the public is stored in digital files or e-mail, even if the public does not specifically request a digital file or e-mail.
A person cannot remove books, records, or files from the place the township has provided for the inspection.
No documents shall be removed from the office of the custodian of those documents without permission of that custodian, except by court order, subpoena, or for audit purposes. The official shall be given a receipt listing the records being removed. Documents may be removed from the custodian's office with the custodian's permission to accommodate public inspection.
Copies May Be Required to Enable Public Inspection of Records. In coordination with the official responsible for the records, the FOIA coordinator will determine (by policy, on a case-by-case basis, or both) when the township will provide copies of original records, to allow for blacking out of exempt information, to protect old or delicate original records, or because the original record is a digital record
file or database not available for public inspection.
A fee will be charged for copies made to enable public inspection of records, according to the township’s FOIA policy.
FOIA Information and Forms
These FOIA documents are available on the Archive page:
- FOIA Procedures and Guidelines (PDF)
- FOIA Request for Public Records (PDF)
- FOIA Appeal Form-To Appeal a Denial of Records (PDF)
- FOIA Appeal Form-To Appeal an Excess Fee (PDF)
- Freedom of Information Act Request Detailed Cost Itemization (PDF)
- Notice of Denial of FOIA Request (PDF)
- Notice to Extend Response Time for FOIA Request (PDF)