From the Northwest Observer (3/16/12): "The property of the people" is how North Carolina law refers to public records created by government boards and bodies. As such, residents have the right to inspect or obtain copies of those documents.
By nature, some document requests are easier to fill than others. Town clerks in Stokesdale and Oak Ridge say requests for public documents are received only occasionally and are generally easy to fill.
But the Town of Summerfield’s public records appear to be under much greater scrutiny ?“ at least by a handful of citizens who frequently file requests for them.
Because of the time it takes to fill some requests and the personnel involved, the Summerfield Town Council voted 4-0 on Feb. 14 to adopt a new policy that allows it to charge for what it considers “extraordinary” public records requests. (Councilwoman Dianne Laughlin was not present for that portion of the meeting so did not vote.)
The new policy says a fee may be charged when, in the town manager’s opinion, a request would “unreasonably interfere with a staff member’s primary duties or requires the assistance of more than two hours from a contractor engaged by the town.” An estimate will be supplied to the person asking for the records, and payment will be requested in advance.