City Won’t Release Public Records
Posted by Sandy on December 8, 2022 · Leave a Comment
Below you will be able to read my request for a PRR (Public Records Request) to Jacqueline H. Mobley, City Clerk who responded.
Dates are important, and I have them in bold print to draw your attention. If it’s bold print please notice. Any comments I make will be in Italic.
I don’t believe Ms. Mobley is holding up my PRR, but is receiving direction from two individuals who obviously don’t want me to receive them. Judge for yourself.
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From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To: Jacqueline H. Mobley <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 3:24 PM
Subject: PRR 11/18/2022
Please provide an electronic copy of the following:
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the City
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the CRA
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the DDA
FY 2022-23 budget book
Please acknowledge request received.Thank you in advance for your help
Sandy Matkivich
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—–Original Message—–
From: Jacqueline H. Mobley <[email protected]>
To: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, Nov 21, 2022 9:13 am
Subject: RE: PRR 11/18/2022
Good morning,
We are in receipt of your public records request and will respond accordingly
Thanks!
Jackie H. Mobley
City Clerk, Interim
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From: Sandy Matkivich [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, Dec 7, 2022 9:07 am
My PRR for the info. below was sent on 11/18/2022. On Nov./21/2022 you acknowledged receipt.
Today date is 12/7/2022. That is 17 days I am waiting for a response from the city. Does that amount of time seem reasonable to you as City Clerk?
Florida Statute Section 119.07(1)(a) — Requires every person who has custody of a public record to permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so.
The documents I have requested are PDF files that already exist and require no scrutiny by any department.
By law, you, as the Clerk, are required to provide me with the ability to receive copies in a reasonable time. My request only requires the sending of an email.
Please assure me you will get this done immediately, and acknowledge email received.
Sandy Matkivich
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the City
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the CRA
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the DDA
FY 2022-23 budget book
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Before publishing this story I checked my email and did not receive any acknowledgement from the City (Ms. Mobley)
Next step:
Ashley Moody, Attorney General
“Every citizen has been granted the Constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions in Florida, and the Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state and local levels.
Citizen Guide to Public Records and the Sunshine Law in Florida
You have the right to inspect and copy public records at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under the supervision by the custodian of the public records.
You have the right to request public records without having to show identification, without saying why you want the records, and without making your request in writing.
You have the right to request an estimate for the time and costs involved in producing your public records request.
You have the right to ask for a written statement of the statutory basis for denying access to public records.
You have the right to be present and unobtrusively record public meetings.
For more information regarding Florida Public Records and the Sunshine Law, contact the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program, (850) 245-0140, or visit the FAQ section. Attorney General website below.
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/main/3dbe69bb9a74d5188525791b006a54e6
“How much is the fine for knowingly violating Florida public records laws?”
“Knowingly violating public records laws is a crime, a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, a $1,000.00 fine or both.”
Dear Ms. Mobley,
Who do you think will be fined $1,000.00 and spend a year in prison?
The end (not even close)