Town of Eclectic, Alabama Policy Statement  Administrative & Procedures Guidelines  Policy Statement Number: 17 Title: Public Records Access Approval: Mayor and Town Council  Application: Public  Effective Date: August 16, 2021 Policy Briefand Purpose:  The Town of Eclectic supports open and transparent government. Under existing law, every citizen has ai right to inspect and take a copy ofa any public writing, except as otherwise provided by statute. To comply with thel law and to standardize the procedure, the Town of] Eclecticl has  adopted this Public Records Access Policy.  1. The Mayor orl his/her designee shall bet the Custodian of Records. The Custodian shall make all determinations with the consult ofTown legal counsel on whether requested information may be released. The Custodian shall make public information available for inspection and copying while protecting public records from alteration, mutilation, loss or 2. Request for public information shall bei made in writing on the attached Public Records Request Form. These forms may be obtained from the' Town Clerk's office Monday through Friday, 8:00: a.m. through 4:30 p.m. or downloaded from the link on the Town of  unlawful removal.  Eclectic web page at wwytownolelecticcom.  3. Once the request for aj public document is received, the Custodian will determine through legal counsel ifthe requested information may be provided. When approved, the Custodian will forward thei request to the appropriate personnel to compile the requested documents. Under normal circumstances, the Custodian will make documents available for inspection. After inspection and upon identification ofs specific documents tol be copied, pre-payment of projected fees shall be made to the Town before documents are copied. Any adjustments to coping fees will be made upon completion. No: more than    three (3) qualifying documents may be requested at one time. The Town will make those records available within fourteen working days from the date a Public Records Request Form is approved. Ifthel Public Records Request for information is determined tol be exempt from disclosure, written notification oft the determination will bei mailed within seven working days from the date the request is denied. Appeals regardinga determination may bei made to the Town Council and the' Town's legal counsel.  4. As provided by the law in The Code of Alabama, 1975, Section 36-12-41, a fee of$1.00 per page for black and white and $2.00 per page: for color copies of public documents shall be charged. In addition, Public Records Requests entailing research shall be assessed a $20 per hour fee or a $5 per quarter hour incremental fee. All fees must be  paid in advance.  Approved and signed this the 16th day of August, 2021.  Gary Davenport - Mayor COUNCIL