Ohio Public Records Briefing - Issue #2

Records requests for your agency's budget in excel, a reminder that you're not legally required to answer questions over the phone, and much more.

Welcome to all our new subscribers! We’re excited to present the second issue of the Public Records Briefing to you today. Let’s jump into it.

Fun Fact

If a records requestor makes a request for the Microsoft Excel version of your agency’s budget, the requester is legally entitled to it — in Excel!

We’ve noticed -- at many of our in-person trainings -- this fun fact often strikes terror into the hearts of public officials. But Ohio law [R.C. 149.43(B)(6] is quite clear: A person making a public records request is entitled to a copy “in the same medium as the public office keeps them.” So as long as the public agency has a copy of the Excel spreadsheet, it’s obligated to produce it when requested.