Request for Inspection of Records

            The strong public policy of the State of Georgia is in favor of open government.  The City of Senoia shares the belief that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society, and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government.

            The City of Senoia is an agency covered by Georgia’s Open Records Law, O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-70, et seq. Under this law, all public records shall be open for personal inspection, and copying, except those which by order of a court or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure. In order to comply with this law, the City has designated Harold Simmons as Open Records Officer and Jason Edens, Debby Volk and Alison Leveillard as Assistant Open Records Officers. These persons are specially trained in public records management and compliance with the Open Records Law. An Open Records Officer is available daily, during normal business hours, except weekends and City-observed holidays, to assist you with public records requests.

            Under most circumstances, records will be made available for inspection within a reasonable amount of time following receipt of a request; generally, the request will be fulfilled within three (3) business days.  If a request poses unusual requirements, within 3 business days you will be sent a written response telling you what records exist and the estimated cost for search, retrieval, redaction, production and copying of those records. You will be expected to pay the cost at the time records are produced for inspection.

            Should the records you request be covered by a specific exemption from inspection, you will be given a written response setting forth the exemption claimed. Some exemptions are limited and apply to certain data contained within the record; if this applies, the exempt data will be redacted and you may inspect a redacted version of this record.

            Inspection of a public record includes your right to copy the record. The City may charge reasonable fees for copying requested records, not to exceed 10 cents per page for letter and legal size documents.  Odd-sized records may be reproduced at the City’s actual cost; electronic files may be available on digital medial at actual cost.

            A request to inspect records will not be deemed filed until filed with the City’s Open Records Officer or a designated Assistant Open Records Officer.  Filings must be made, in writing, and may be personally served on the Officer, at City Hall, 80 Main Street, Senoia, GA during normal business hours, or by statutory overnight delivery to that address.  Filings may also be made by U.S. Mail, addressed to Harold Simmons, Open Records Officer at City of Senoia, P.O. Box 310, Senoia, Georgia 30276. Further, you may file a request by emailing to hsimmons@senoia.com or by facsimile to (770) 599.0855. Emails and faxes should be clearly labeled “Open Records Request”.