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County board to partially release staff names and timestamps after FOIA infrastructure records dispute
Summary
In a contested FOIA appeal, Joseph Schuler asked for IT infrastructure logs tied to court records. Corporation counsel argued the records are judicial or security-sensitive; the board voted to direct counsel to secure a redacted disclosure (employee names, dates, timestamps) and consult with court administration before finalizing.
Joseph Schuler appealed the county FOIA coordinator’s May denial of a records request for IT infrastructure logs and server metadata connected to his 8th District Court matter. Schuler told the board he had narrowed the request to administrative server access logs and backup metadata and contended that the county IT-owned infrastructure records are not the same as court case files.
Corporation Counsel Lewis L. Smith and other counsel told the board the requested metadata may be subject to Michigan court rules and FOIA exceptions governing judicial records and that raw metadata could reveal security-sensitive information (including possible credentials or keystroke-level details). Counsel recommended denial in whole or careful redaction. Schuler responded that a targeted extraction of timestamps and user account IDs was routine and necessary to support his allegations of register-of-actions tampering.
After extended questioning, Commissioner Ray moved — and the board supported by roll call — a motion to release the employee name, date and timestamp of changes to the register of actions specific to Schuler’s case but not the full technical metadata. The board directed Corporation Counsel to consult with court administration and return a final determination by Friday; Schuler agreed to the short extension.
