Freedom of Information Act Requests
The City of Elkins is committed to the principle that all persons are entitled to information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees, to the full extent provided by law.
The law governing public access to government records is the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Certain records are exempt from disclosure, for reasons including the protection of individual privacy, attorney-client privilege, and security.
Submitting a Request
At the City of Elkins, we place an emphasis on open government. Many records, including the city code and all records of council proceedings (meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances) are available for examination by the public by appointment, with no need for the submission of a FOIA request. (If you need large volumes of copies or printing of such records, charges may apply, and copies may not be available the same day they are requested). Please feel free to contact the city clerk in order to discuss whether or not a FOIA request is needed to access the records you are interested in.
If you do submit a FOIA request, Elkins Common Council has adopted a policy requiring that requesters pay the cost of materials used in responding to a FOIA request. These costs include 25 cents per page for photocopies or printing; the actual cost of any non-paper media used to transmit the records, such as a disk, flash drive; and mailing costs. There is no fee for requests consisting of fewer than five pages of copying or printing. There is also no fee for reviewing records in person.
For More Information
Sutton Stokes
Elkins City Clerk
401 Davis Avenue
Elkins, WV 26241
304.636.1414, ext. 1211 (office)
suttonstokes@cityofelkinswv.com
