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Isabella County board upholds FOIA denial for Greg Schmidt; auditors to provide records when available
Summary
On a 5-0 vote the board upheld a FOIA denial for a records request by Greg Schmidt; staff said the requested financial statement is prepared by auditors and is expected to be available after the annual audit is complete in early March.
The Isabella County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 4 to uphold the denial of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal filed by Greg Schmidt.
Commissioner Tobin Hope moved to set a timeline for providing the requested material; Administrator/Controller Brian Smith and Finance Director Chris Witmer explained the specific document requested is prepared by the county auditors and does not exist until the auditors complete the financial statements. Witmer noted the county must complete its audit by March 31 each year and staff expect the audited statements to be available by the beginning of March.
Why it matters: The denied FOIA request sought financial information that, staff said, is part of the external audit process. The board’s vote affirms the county’s interpretation that the requested document cannot be produced before auditors complete their required work.
What the record shows: The motion to uphold the denial carried with Commissioners Hope, Moreno, Engler, Jaloszynski and Weber voting yes. Staff recorded that auditors prepare the financial statements and that the county will provide the records once they are created and available.
Next steps: Administration and Finance will provide the audited financial statements after the auditors complete the audit; staff indicated an expectation that those materials will be available by early March.
