Public Records
Please continue to the Public Records Request Portal to request records (it is not required that you use the portal.)
What Is a Public Record?
A “public record” is broadly defined in the Florida Statutes as: 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. [119.011(1),F.S.].
A “public record” is broadly defined in the Florida Statutes as: 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. [119.011(1),F.S.].
Public Records Requests
Government entities in the State of Florida operate under a system of open government often referred to as “Government in the Sunshine”. Both Article 1 Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes outline and define the public’s right to access, public records law and exemptions for certain records being publicly disclosed.
Government entities in the State of Florida operate under a system of open government often referred to as “Government in the Sunshine”. Both Article 1 Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes outline and define the public’s right to access, public records law and exemptions for certain records being publicly disclosed.
The City of Bradenton will provide full compliance with all applicable records laws and will not delay in accommodating public record requests however, due to the substantial material sometimes requested the information cannot always be immediately obtained. While the law does provide for a right of access to inspect and/or copy existing public records as defined in the statute, it does not require the agency to answer questions about such records or require the agency to generate new records or reports to accommodate a request for information.
Per FS 119.07, there may be a charge for the use of any resources, information technology, extensive time and / or clerical labor necessary to accommodate a public records request and any applicable charges will be collected prior to any extensive labor being performed or any resources used.
Alternatively, public records can be made available for an “in-person” physical review thus reducing the need to reproduce records that may be determined to be unnecessary for the purpose of the request as well as reducing the cost related to reproducing any such records.
A requestor is not required to identify themselves and does not have to provide information about the reason for the request or how the records will be used. However, the request must contain enough information and clarity to enable the agency to conduct a meaningful search for the requested records and the agency may ask questions about the request in order to respond to the request fully and in a timely manner.
The law provides no requirement that a Records Request be made in person or in writing or in any particular form. However, individuals may wish to submit a request in writing to aid in the clarity and processing of the request.