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Barry County denies multiple FOIA appeals amid public concerns about records and election data

Barry County Board of Commissioners · April 1, 2026

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Summary

The Barry County Board of Commissioners voted March 24 to deny two FOIA denial appeals and three excessive-fee appeals. Public commenters raised concerns about FOIA practices, attorney fees and an allegation that a former county clerk deleted election data.

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on March 24 denied five appeals related to county Freedom of Information Act requests, acting unanimously with one commissioner absent.

County staff presented the appeals list: FOIA 25-176 (denial), 25-179 (excessive fee), 25-180 (excessive fee), 25-180b (excessive fee), and 25-189 (denial/new). The board first moved to deny the denial appeals for FOIA 25-176 and 25-189 and then moved to deny the excessive-fee appeals 25-179, 25-180 and 25-180b. Both motions passed with votes recorded as Ayes: Bassett, Callton, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson, Smelker and Teunessen; Absent: Campbell.

During the public comment portions of the meeting, several residents raised questions about the county’s FOIA process. Gary White of Nashville reiterated concerns about the timing for approval of meeting minutes and questioned attorney fees associated with FOIA request reviews and compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Shelly Lake of Irving Township said she had filed a criminal complaint alleging deletion of election data by a former county clerk; she urged the board to address county FOIA procedures and records handling.

Sheriff Leaf also commented on the FOIA rulings during public comment, though the minutes do not record a statement opposing or supporting the board’s decisions.

The board’s motions deny the specified appeals as recorded in the minutes. The meeting record does not include further action on the public allegations about election data; county officials or the clerk’s office would need to provide follow-up if the allegations prompt an investigation or corrective action.