Q&A: Auditor can make records available in-office only

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Q: A Boone County Auditor’s Office employee told me I need to either come to the auditor’s office to pick up the public records I requested under the Access to Public Records Act or obtain them through the state Board of Accounts website, though she didn’t know where on the website I should go.

Is that accurate?

A: There is no requirement for a state or local government official to fax or email public records to a requester. That discretion remains up to them.

So, yes, if the office won’t email or fax records, you’ll either have to visit the Boone County Auditor’s office or search for the data needed on the state Board of Accounts website.

You might also explore the state Department of Local Government Finance website to see what they post from the counties.

Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.