City attorney warns board that notes tied to decision‑making may be public records

During the June 24 meeting the City of Tarpon Springs’ attorney cautioned board members about the public‑records implications of keeping notes on devices or in personal files. "If you have any notes...that have anything to do with your decision making...we would use that as a public record," City Attorney Salzman said, urging members to submit notes that bear on votes to the clerk to avoid problems later.

Salzman explained that documents or communications that influence decision‑making—such as correspondence urging a particular vote or notes reflecting communications—can become part of the public record and, in some cases, subject personal devices to legal review. He recommended that members turn in notes tied to discrete decisions and clarified that highlights or references to materials already provided by staff do not generally need to be submitted.

The guidance came as part of routine board administration and ethics reminders; the board had no public controversy or complaints on the record during this meeting. Salzman said the practice of collecting decision‑related notes is intended to reduce the risk of future ethics inquiries or confusion about what influenced a board vote. The board adjourned at 6:42 p.m.