Open Records Request

Obtaining Public Records

The Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 et. seq., establishes the right to inspect and/or receive public records, excluding those records that are specifically exempted by court order or the law.

To inspect and/or receive records held by the City of Cairo, please contact the City Clerk, by mail, or at 229-377-1722 Ext. 1, or via email. 

We do request that you be specific with your request and include as much information as possible. This will assist us in responding to your request in a timelier manner.

After Receiving Your Request

After receiving your request, you will be notified within (3) business days if there are records responsive to your request and if the records requested are subject to release or redaction per O.C.G.A.§ 50-18-71. The response will be provided in written format and will be sent via email when possible.

Charges

Responses shall include the cost to search, retrieve, copy, redact and/or supervise inspection of the requested document(s). The cost represents the hourly rate of the lowest-paid full-time employee who, in the opinion of the City Clerk, has the necessary skill and training to respond to your request. There is no charge for the first 15 minutes.

The fee for black and white copies is 10 cents per page. Other types of documents are charged based upon the City Clerk’s Office’s expense to reproduce the record. Where fees for certain records are otherwise prescribed by law, such a specific fee shall apply.  Payment is required upon receipt of the records.  If it is requested that records be certified, there is an additional fee of $5 for certification of the first record and $1 for each record thereafter.

Records Not Readily Accessible or Records Subject to Redaction

• Some records are not readily accessible.  In these instances, a timeline will be provided as to when the records will be available.
• Police reports are public records subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.2; however, not all data is subject to release.  Some data may be subject to redaction in accordance with federal and state confidentiality statutes. 

Records Clerk

All Open Records Requests must be submitted to the City Clerk who is the designated "Open Records Officer" for the City of Cairo.  Any requests for records that are served upon any other officer or employee shall not be deemed filed until the requester has filed his or her request with the Records Clerk.