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Calumet approves FOIA policy

CALUMET – Calumet now has a formal Freedom of Information Act policy.

The Village Council approved the policy at its meeting Tuesday night.

The village has received two FOIA requests since Village President Dave Geisler was elected in 2012.

“If the requests are small, obviously there’s not a lot of time, or village staff, or photocopying, but if you get a big request, you’ve got to have it,” he said.

Calumet’s policy, drawn up in accordance with state law, designates its village clerk as FOIA administrator, and calls for a request within five business days. The village can then grant the request, issue a written denial, grant part of the request, issue a notice for a 10-day extension or issue a notice that the information is available on the village website.

For FOIA requests under $50, the person will be told of the amount due. For amounts over $50, the person requesting the documents can be asked to make a deposit of up to half the estimated cost.

The board adopted two resolutions: the first to adopt the FOIA policy, and another to adopt the practice of using the FOIA forms provided by Village Attorney Jim Tercha, unless advised by the vilage attorney to do otherwise.

“It’s for the benefit of the citizens to let them know what their rights are,” Geisler said. “But also, the village can be liable if we fail to perform. So it’s really important that both sides understand what their obligations are. It’s a good thing for the village.”

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