Open Records Requests

Overview of the Public Information Act

The Public Information Act (PIA) provides a mechanism for citizens to inspect or copy government records. It also provides that governmental bodies may withhold government records from the public in specific instances.

The PIA generally requires a governmental body to release information in response to a request for information. However, if a governmental body determines the information is excepted from disclosure under the PIA, then both the request and information at issue must be reviewed by the Open Records Division (ORD). The ORD will issue a decision on whether the governmental body is permitted to withhold the requested information or must release the information to the requestor.

Public Information Act informational posters can be found here:     English   |  Spanish

How to Submit a Public Information/Open Records Request?

To submit a Public Information Request, please download our Public Information Request Form, enter the necessary information and submit it to City Hall. Your submission can be dropped off at our office, emailed to our City Clerk Brenda Kelley.

Copy Rates

Governmental bodies shall release requested information as promptly as possible, unless the information is exempt from disclosure under the Public Information Act. The City of Bartlett uses the rates established by the Office of the Attorney General to determine charges for copies of public records.

If the cost of a request is expected to exceed $40, a staff member will send an estimate letter to the requestor. The letter will include an itemized statement of any copying, personnel or mailing charges that will be incurred in fulfilling the request. Once the requestor confirms that he or she agrees to the estimated costs, a staff member will begin compiling the records. If a requestor does not respond within 10 days, the file will be closed. Payments must be made by either credit/debit or cash at City Hall.

Common Charges

• Paper (single-sided, black and white, standard size) - $0.10 / page
• Oversize paper, not including maps and photographs - $0.50 / page
• CD - $1 each
• Diskette - $1 each
• Audio cassette - $1 each
• VHS cassette - $2.50 each
• DVD - $3 each
• Off site record retrieval - $45.00 fee 

Labor Charges

• Personnel time for locating, compiling and reproducing records (if less than 50 pages of paper copies are requested, no personnel costs are charged) - $15 / hour
• Computer Programming - $28.50 / hour
• Overhead - 20% of the personnel or programming charge

For questions, please contact Brenda Kelley at 254-527-3219.

For further information from the Texas Attorney General’s office regarding the Public Information Act, please visit their website by clicking HERE.