Public Records Request Policy

Julington Creek Plantation Community Development District – Public Officer, 

Employee and Staff Policy for Processing Requests for Public Records

 Policy Generally: 

The District supports policies that facilitate the efficient and complete provision of requested public records in a timely manner. This policy only applies to the way District officers, employees and staff (District Manager, District Counsel, District Engineer) (altogether, “District Persons”) respond to public records requests within the organization. Chapter 119, F.S., and the District’s Rules of Procedure dictate the way in which the District must produce records to the records requester. This policy is established to provide District Persons with a clear understanding of the process that will be utilized in preparing responses to public record requests.

Requests for District Records: 

1. The requesting party is not required to identify themselves or the reason for the request. The request may be made in writing (electronic or otherwise) or verbally.

 2. Content on District social media sites is subject to the public records law. Communication made through a social networking medium may be subject to public disclosure.

 3. There may be responsive records located on personal devices or personal accounts that are not maintained by the District. For this reason, District Persons will be asked to perform searches of personal devices and accounts for any responsive record whenever a request so warrants. District Persons are strongly encouraged to avoid using personal devices or personal accounts for District business.

 4. When a request is received, the individual(s) receiving the request shall translate the request to the public records request form attached hereto. The form should then be forwarded to the Secretary. The Secretary shall then review the form with the requester to ensure that it accurately reflects their request so that full compliance can be achieved in a timely and efficient fashion. The Secretary will then notify the requesting party of the estimated time and cost to retrieve the records, in compliance with the District’s Rules of Procedure, and confirm whether the requesting party agrees to pay the labor and copy charges, if applicable. Payment shall be made to the District prior to commencing the production process. 

5. If not clear, the requesting party should be asked to identify whether they wish to simply inspect the records or obtain copies.

 6. Florida’s public records law does not require the District to answer questions regarding the records produced. 

Processing Responsive Records: 

1. After the above process is followed, for documents that are readily available, there should not be any charge for the labor in retrieving the requested documents, but any copies purchased by the requesting party will be charged according to the District’s adopted fee schedule. 

2. Records are only required to be produced in the format(s) in which they exist. 

3. All electronic records must be sent by a file transfer method to the Secretary. Any record that can be produced for review by District staff electronically must be produced in that medium. Should District Persons elect to provide records that are capable of being produced electronically in hard format, such individual shall not be entitled to reimbursement for copy or printing charges. It is within the Secretary’s discretion to determine whether a record is capable of being produced electronically. District Persons shall make their best efforts to produce records for review by District staff as economically and efficiently as possible.

4. District Persons shall use their best efforts to electronically store public record e-mail according to the conventions of their e- mail system and retain it electronically pursuant to the District’s retention schedule. 

5. The technical details and methods of storing, retrieving and printing e-mail depend on the e-mail system in use. Consult with the Secretary or General Manager for guidance should questions arise. 

6. Public records retention is governed by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, general record schedules and the District’s adopted Record Retention schedule. Should District Persons have any questions regarding retention or disposition of records, please contact the Secretary or District Counsel. .