Request Public Information

Overview


The City Secretary is designated by the city’s Home Rule Charter as an agent of the Officer of Public Records and serves as the city’s authority for releasing records in accordance with the procedures set for in the Public Information Act.

The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government information. The request must ask for records or information already in existence. The act does not require the governmental body to create new information, to do legal research or to answer questions.

The City of Lake Jackson has established guidelines in accordance with the Public Information Act to ensure that all records in the possession of and pertaining to the operation of the governmental body are available to the public through a systematic and centralized process.  In accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, fees may be associated with this request. Should charges exceed $40.00, the City will provide the requestor with a written itemized statement of estimated charges before any work is undertaken. 

Note: Although the Texas Public Information Act makes most government information available to the public, some exceptions exist. If an exception might apply and the governmental body wishes to withhold the information, the governmental body generally must, within 10 business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether an exception applies.



Related Resources



The Texas Public Information Handbook, which provides information about Open Records laws in Texas, is available from on the Texas Attorney General website.   The toll free Texas Attorney General Open Government Hotline is 877-OPEN-TEX or 877-673-6839.