It is SacSewer’s goal to provide the public with timely access to
its public records. Learn more about our public records and how
to request them:
What is a Public Record?
The California Government Code defines public records as, “…any
writing containing information relating to the conduct of the
public’s business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state
or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristic.”
For example, public records can include, but are not limited to,
papers, books, maps, charts, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes,
and information stored on a computer.
How is public access to SacSewer’s records ensured?
The California Public Records Act (PRA) (GOVT.
CODE §§ 6250 – 6276.48) is designed to give the public access
to information in possession of public agencies. Section 6250
articulates a policy of broad disclosure and provides that
“access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s
business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in
this state.” To implement that right, Section 6253 provides that
“every person has a right to inspect any public record,” subject
only to the express limitations contained elsewhere in the PRA.
With the passage of Proposition 59 in 2005, this statutory right
is now an express constitutional right.
The PRA provides: “public records are open to inspection at all
times during the office hours of the…agency and every person
has a right to inspect any public record, except as…provided,
[and to receive] an exact copy [of] an identifiable record”
unless impracticable (Section 6253(a)). Specific exceptions to
disclosure are listed in sections 6253.5-6253.7, 6254,
6254.1-6254.21, 6255, 6267 and 6276; however, to ensure maximum
access by the public, these exceptions are read narrowly. The
agency bears the burden of justifying nondisclosure, and “any
reasonably segregable portion… shall be provided…after
deletion of the portions which are exempt” (Section 6253(a)).
What are SacSewer’s Public Records?
The Public Records Act applies to the records of SacSewer and all
divisions, boards, and commissions created by SacSewer’s Board of
Directors.
Who can request Public Records?
Anyone can make a request to inspect or obtain a copy of a public
record. A requester is not required to provide any personal
identification or reason for the request.
What can and cannot be requested?
Generally, all SacSewer records are available to the public
unless they are statutorily exempt from disclosure. California
Government Code section 6254 provides a partial list of records
that may be exempt from disclosure. Some of the types of records
that are potentially exempt include:
- Personnel records, medical records and similar files which
would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if
publicly disclosed
- Records pertaining to pending litigation to which a public
agency is a party
- Preliminary drafts, notes and memoranda;
- Records of complaints to or investigations conducted by a
police agency
- Records covered by the attorney-client privilege
- Examination data used to administer a licensing, employment
or academic examination
- Criminal history information
In addition to the express exemptions from disclosure, the Public
Records Act contains a “catch-all” exemption that permits a
public agency to withhold its records from inspection when “the
public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly
outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the
record.” Also, in addition to those exemptions contained in the
Act itself, there are hundreds of statutory exemptions and other
independent bases for confidentiality.
How can I request SacSewer records?
The easiest way to request records is using our online request
form:
Online Public
Records Request Form
You may also request records from SacSewer via U.S. mail, e-mail,
or hand delivery to our main
administrative office:
Sacramento Area Sewer District
10060 Goethe Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95827
Email: SDAPublicRecordsRequest@sacsewer.com
Please include all of the information that is requested on the
online form
in order to expedite your request. Make your request as specific
as possible about the records you are seeking (e.g., a date range
for the records you are requesting, the department or staff that
created the requested records, and/or any helpful keywords.)
You may also indicate whether you would simply like to inspect
the records or have copies made, which involves paying for the
cost of copying (see “Are there any costs associated with records
requests?” below).
When can I expect a response?
Upon a request for records, in most instances, SacSewer has 10
days to notify you as to whether responsive documents exist, and
to identify how long it will take to compile those documents.
SacSewer will make every reasonable effort to respond sooner and
to make the records promptly available upon the payment of any
applicable fees. The actual time to receive documents can vary
significantly depending on the complexity of the request.
If SacSewer receives a request for records that it does not
possess, it will notify you that it has no responsive records
and, if it can do so, will forward the request to the appropriate
agency that may possess the requested records.
What happens when the requested records are ready?
After you receive a response from SacSewer concerning the
availability of the requested records, you can arrange to inspect
the records or have them copied:
Inspection. If you wish to inspect the records
and have provided contact information, a representative will
contact you to make an appointment to inspect the records. If you
have not provided SacSewer with contact information, you will
need to call or return to SacSewer to arrange for inspection of
the records. There is no fee associated with inspecting public
records.
Copies. If you wish to obtain copies of records
and have provided contact information, an SacSewer representative
will contact you with a time and cost estimate for producing the
requested records. You may, upon payment of applicable fees (see
below), pick up the records when they become available or have
them mailed to you. If you have not provided SacSewer with
contact information, you will need to call or return to SacSewer
to arrange for copying and pick-up of the records.
Are there any costs associated with records requests?
Under the Public Records Act, SacSewer is entitled to be
reimbursed by the requestor for the direct costs of duplication.
SacSewer has, however, made a determination not to charge the
requestor for the first 10 pages. If a PRA request calls for the
production of records in excess of 10 pages, then the requester
shall be required to pay 10 cents per page for each additional
page, which shall be reimbursement of SacSewer’s direct costs for
duplication.
- First 10 copies: free
- $0.10 for additional copies
- $3.00 for a data compact disc
