County communications chief: FOIA volume, news releases and joint information roles have expanded

Carrie Bridal, the county’s media and communications coordinator, told commissioners she serves as the county’s Freedom of Information Officer and that the office responds to open‑records requests within three business days. She said the county received 73 open‑records requests in 2024 and had already processed 22 so far this year.

Bridal said communications issues include outward‑facing news releases, social media, an internal employee newsletter and coordination with other public information officers. She said the county issued 11 news releases last year and has already exceeded that number in the current year. She also said she co‑chairs the Douglas County Public Information Officer Group and helps operate a joint information center during major incidents like the tornado and historic flooding.

Bridal described other work such as web content management, social media policy development, outreach for county events (county government day) and support for elections and public information around construction and housing developments. She said communications helped distribute a mental‑health resource card developed with partner agencies and participates in strategic communications planning for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

No policy changes were proposed at the session; communications staff described operational volumes, staffing needs and upcoming public events.