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FOIA officer outlines public-records rules, exemptions at Franklin County IDA meeting
Summary
FOIA Officer Lori Crouch gave the IDA a detailed briefing on Virginia public-records law, stressing that "All public records are presumed open unless specifically exempt," the five permissible responses to requests, timelines for replies, allowable charges, and common exemptions including economic-development exceptions.
Lori Crouch, Franklin County FOIA Officer, told the Industrial Development Authority that "All public records are presumed open unless specifically exempt," and reviewed the statutory definition of a public record under Virginia Code § 2.2-3701.
Crouch explained who may request records (citizens of the Commonwealth and media representatives), the five working-day response window in § 2.2-3704, and the five permissible written responses a public body may provide. She told the board that if records are withheld or cannot be found, the response must be in writing and must cite the specific Code section authorizing withholding.
The presentation addressed charging practices and electronic records: the county may assess reasonable charges limited to its actual costs and must provide cost estimates on request; conversion or redaction of electronic records is not treated as creating a new record. Crouch also reviewed common exemptions under § 2.2-3705 (personnel, attorney-client privilege, procurement, and economic-development exemptions) and urged staff to follow the Library of Virginia retention schedules.
County Attorney Christopher Dadak and Crouch advised the board to use blind-copying when emailing the IDA to help reduce inadvertent disclosure of recipients' addresses. The training was presented as routine compliance guidance for board members and staff.
