Autauga County adopts new public-records procedures, names administrator as public officer

The Autauga County Commission unanimously adopted two resolutions on Oct. 1, 2024, to implement changes to Alabama's Open Records Act and designated Administrator Scott Kramer as the county's Public Officer to oversee public records requests.

The resolutions (Resolutions #2025-1 and #2025-2) put into effect procedures the commission said are required by Ala. Act No. 2024-278, which amends the state's Open Records Act and became effective Oct. 1, 2024. The resolutions direct the designated public officer to develop and recommend written procedures for accepting public-records requests and to carry out the statutory directives for records in the custody and control of the commission.

County Administrator Scott Kramer was named the county's Public Officer during the meeting; the commission also adopted the written procedures recommended by the Public Officer, which the minutes state are attached to Resolution #2025-2. The minutes do not include the full text of the procedures in the body of the record; the attachment is referenced in the resolution language adopted by the commission.

The meeting minutes are formatted as an official record and do not include direct quotations of speakers. The action was recorded as a unanimous vote of the commission; the minutes list five members present.

Next steps noted in the resolution language include the Administrator developing and periodically recommending procedural updates to the commission. The minutes do not specify the timeline for when the county will begin accepting requests under the new written procedures beyond noting the resolutions take effect Oct. 1, 2024.