What is a Public Record?

Section 119.011(11). F.S., defines public records to include:
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. Read More about the Floida Sunshine Law

Public Records We Maintain

Exceptions To Public Records Information

Although documents that perpetuate, communicate, or formalize knowledge are public records, not all information found in that public record is necessarily subject to dissemination or release. For example, employee personnel files are public records. However, information such as social security numbers is protected and is not to be released. The following public documents/instruments are examples that may include sensitive material that is either exempt from the Public Records Act or some other statutory exemption:

• 911 recordings
• EMS run logs (patient information)
• Fire run logs (patient information)
• Employee records (Florida retirement records, drug screens, medical records)
• Attorney client communications

Documents that contain protected sensitive material will be redacted and the document will then be released to satisfy the public records request.

Public Records Requests

Before making a public records request, please make sure that the information you seek pertains to the departments listed above. All public records requests should be submitted to the attention of the Columbia County Board of County Commissioner's custodian of public records: Most County records are promptly available to the public upon request. However, to ensure file content is not compromised, files will not be loaned out and may not be removed from the county department or office.

No sales tax shall be charged.

Fee Schedule

Florida Court have stated that “extensive” means taking more than 15 minutes to locate, research, review, redact, copy or remain present while the requestor copies, and/or answers questions and re-file the material. To assess the fee for employee hours spent in excess of 15 minutes, County departments will ascertain the hourly rate paid to the county position(s) compiling and providing the duplication.

A charge per copy shall also be made when necessary to make multiple copies of a document in order to properly redact exempt information contained in the document. Exception: County maps, aerial photographs, large format photos may be reproduced and charged a fee to cover the materials used for those duplications. Also, departments may include a reasonable labor and overhead charge associated with the duplication.