City HallCity Clerk
Public Records (FOIA)
Requests to inspect or obtain copies of public records prepared, owned, used, possessed or retained by the City must be submitted in writing.
- FOIA Coordinator
- Jamie Wolters, City Clerk
- Answer within
- 5 business days
- Paper copies
- No more than $0.10 a sheet
- Appeal to
- City Council
Sending a Request
- No form needed
No specific form to submit a written request is required.
- By email
Requests can be emailed to the City Clerk, who is the FOIA Coordinator, at jwolters@saugatuckcity.com.
- In person or by mail
Written requests can be delivered to City Hall or mailed to the City Clerk, 102 Butler Street, P.O. Box 86, Saugatuck, MI 49453.
- Inspecting records
Inspection of public records shall occur only between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at City Hall, unless otherwise agreed by the FOIA Coordinator in his or her sole discretion.
How Long It Takes
The day it arrives
Received
If a request is received by facsimile or e-mail, the request is deemed to have been received on the following business day.
Within 5 business days
The City answers
Within 5 business days of receipt of a FOIA request, the City will issue a response.
Up to 10 more business days
An extension, if needed
The City can instead give notice that it is taking up to 10 more business days to respond.
After a denial
An appeal to Council
If you believe that all or a portion of a public record has not been disclosed or has been improperly exempted from disclosure, you may file a written appeal of the denial with the City Council (c/o the City Clerk).
Within 10 business days
Council answers
Within 10 business days of receiving a written appeal, the City Council responds in writing.
What It Costs
- Paper copies
The cost of paper copies of public records made on standard letter (8 ½ x 11) or legal (8 ½ x 14) sized paper will not exceed $.10 per sheet of paper.
- Deposits
If the City has made a good faith calculation that the total estimated fee for processing the request exceeds $50.00, the City will require that you provide a deposit in the amount of 50% of the total estimated fee.
- Waivers
The first $20.00 of the processing fee is waived for a requester who files an affidavit of indigency, and for a qualifying nonprofit.
Request Records
A request names the records as closely as it can, how the copies should come, and how to reach the person asking.
Documents
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Policies and Guides
City of Saugatuck FOIA policy, March 25, 2019
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Forms and Applications
FOIA Request Form