Public Records Requests

The State of Florida has implemented policies that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and/or copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency. Public Records are “all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.” Section 119.011(12) Florida Statutes. The definition encompasses all materials made or received by an agency in connection with official business which are used to perpetrate, communicate or formalize knowledge.

Pursuant to Florida law, the university may charge up to 15 cents per one-sided page for paper copies. The university also may implement a special service charge that is reasonable and reflects actual costs when the nature and volume of public records requested requires extensive use of resources. Florida courts have interpreted “extensive use” to mean when the process to produce the records (including collection and review for exempt and/or confidential material) takes more than fifteen minutes. The University may also implement a special service charge that is reasonable and reflects actual costs when the nature and/or volume of public records requested requires extensive use of resources.