Question: Does Act 1002 prohibit the City’s Historic District Office from enforcing its Historic District guidelines/regulations upon the Pope County Courthouse?
Brief Response: No, Act 1002 withdraws a municipality’s authority to enforce municipal building and zoning regulations against qualifying county-owned property. But it does not amend, limit, or repeal the separate authority granted to local governments and historic district commissions by the Historic Districts Act.
Question: Is the custodian's decision to release the requested records with redactions consistent with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Brief Response: In my opinion, the custodian has correctly classified these records as personnel records that are subject to release. And the custodian has also properly redacted the employee’s personal contact information, Social Security number, date of birth, personnel number, and information related to marital status and dependents.
Question: Is the custodian's decision to release the requested records with redactions consistent with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Brief Response: The custodian’s decision is partially consistent with the FOIA. The custodian must review the facts surrounding the three complaints discussed in the opinion, determine whether they are unsolicited or solicited, and then apply the appropriate test for release. If a complaint is unsolicited, it constitutes a personnel record and may be released under the applicable balancing test. In the case of the “Kear Complaint,” if it is determined to be a personnel record, the custodian must redact any information concerning the nature, treatment, or diagnosis of an employee’s medical condition before releasing the record. Finally, the basis for some of the redactions is unclear, and additional exempt information appears in the records unredacted. The custodian must carefully review all records slated for release—whether documents or video recordings—to ensure that social security numbers and driver’s license numbers are properly redacted before disclosure.
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