§ 2-619. Public access to records.

(a)

Except as provided in section 2-621, any person has a right to inspect a record and to make or receive a copy of any record as provided in Wis. Stats. § 19.35(1).

(b)

Records will be available for inspection and copying during all regular office hours.

(c)

If regular office hours are not maintained at the location where records are kept, the records will be available for inspection and copying upon at least 48 hours' advance notice of intent to inspect or copy.

(d)

A requester shall be permitted to use facilities comparable to those available to village employees to inspect, copy or abstract a record.

(e)

The legal custodian may require supervision during inspection or may impose other reasonable restrictions on the manner of access to an original record if the record is irreplaceable or easily damaged.

(f)

A requester shall be charged a fee which is on file in the village clerk/treasurer's office to defray the cost of copying records.

(1)

If the form of a written record does not permit copying, the actual and necessary cost of photographing and photographic processing shall be charged.

(2)

The actual full cost of providing a copy of other records not in printed form on paper, such as films, computer printouts and audiotapes and videotapes, shall be charged.

(3)

If mailing or shipping is necessary, the actual cost thereof shall also be charged.

(4)

There shall be no charge for locating a record unless the actual cost therefor exceeds $50.00, in which case the actual cost shall be determined by the legal custodian and billed to the requester.

(5)

The legal custodian shall estimate the cost of all applicable fees and shall require a cash deposit adequate to ensure payment, if such estimate exceeds $5.00.

(6)

Elected and appointed officials of the village shall not be required to pay for public records they may reasonably require for the proper performance of their official duties.

(7)

The legal custodian may provide copies of a record without charge or at a reduced charge where he determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest.

(g)

Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 19.34 and the guidelines therein listed, each authority shall adopt, prominently display and make available for inspection and copying at its offices, for the guidance of the public, a notice containing a description of its organization and the established times and places at which, the legal custodian from whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain information and access to records in its custody, make requests for records, or obtain copies of records, and the costs thereof. This subsection does not apply to members of the village board.

(Code 1989, § 3-3-4)

State law reference

Access to public records, Wis. Stats. § 19.35.