News Summary
The city of Asheville has unveiled a new public records request portal named JustFOIA, which went live on July 1. Designed to enhance usability, the portal allows users to submit records requests without creating an account. With features for improved submission and tracking, this initiative aims to foster transparency and accessibility in city government. The project comes as part of a multiyear contract and underscores Asheville’s commitment to open communication between officials and residents while adhering to North Carolina public records law.
Asheville – The city of Asheville has launched a new public records request portal called JustFOIA, which went live on July 1. The new system is designed to streamline the process of requesting public records and can be accessed directly through the city’s website.
Users can now submit record requests in a manner similar to the previous process, but with additional features for enhanced usability. The JustFOIA portal is available at https://cityofashevillenc.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest. One of the notable aspects of the new system is that it permits records requests without requiring users to create an account, making it more accessible to the general public.
North Carolina public records law is outlined in N.C. General Statute 132, which mandates that all records created or received in the course of public business must be available for public inspection. This encompasses a wide range of documents, including city contracts, communications between public officials, and crime data from the Asheville Police Department. According to city policy, these public records can typically be obtained at no cost or at a minimal fee.
The JustFOIA portal has several enhancements, including improved ease of submission and tracking capabilities for users to follow the status of their requests. This centralized system is intended to provide consistency in handling requests, a measure underscored by Public Records Officer Allison Byers, who oversees the processing and fulfillment of public records requests across various city departments.
Asheville has entered into a multiyear contract with JustFOIA for the project, which amounts to a total expenditure of $10,205. The implementation of this portal comes in light of the recognition that while the public records act does not require a portal, having one can simplify and enhance public access to government documents.
However, it is important to note that certain exceptions to the public records law exist. These exceptions include personnel information, personal utility customer data, police tactics, and records related to ongoing criminal investigations, which are not subject to public disclosure. Residents looking for information outside these boundaries will find that they can still rely on the newly launched JustFOIA portal.
The city previously utilized an old portal for public record requests; however, as of July 2, that system has been reallocated for “staff only” use and is no longer accessible to the public. Individuals with inquiries about past or completed requests can reach out via the email address opengov@ashevillenc.gov for assistance.
This initiative marks an important step in improving transparency and accessibility within the city government, aligning with Asheville’s commitment to fostering open communication between officials and citizens. The JustFOIA system is now an essential tool for all members of the public seeking access to important city records and information.
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- Charlotte Ledger: Asheville Water Recovery
- Mountain X: On the Record with Tod Leaven
- WLOS: Asheville Water Crisis Communications
- NC Newsline: Asheville’s Records Request Challenges
- WLOS: Asheville Police Department Sweep
- Wikipedia: Public Records Law
- Google Search: Asheville Public Records
- Google Scholar: Asheville Water Crisis
- Google News: Asheville News
