Public Information Request

Your Right to Access Government Records

Texas law gives you the right to access government records. The City Secretary is responsible for responding to public information requests, applying the laws and regulations of the Texas Public Information Act, and ensuring all documents in the City's possession about its operation are available. 

A municipality must make a good faith effort to provide access or copies of requested city records in a "prompt" manner. The Act states, "promptly means that a governmental body may take a reasonable amount of time to produce the information, but may not delay."

The Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, conduct legal research, or answer questions. It only requires providing access to or copies of existing city records. 

The Act generally requires a governmental body to release information to the requestor. However, if the governmental body determines the information is exempted from disclosure under the Act, then the request and information must be reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Open Records Division (ORD). The ORD will decide whether the governmental body is permitted to withhold the requested information or if it must release the information to the requestor. You will be informed if this happens and updated on the decision. Attorney General Letter Rulings regarding the confidentiality of responsive information may take forty-five (45) days or more. 

How to Submit a Request for Records

To request public records, you must submit a written request that includes:

  • A clear description of the records you need
  • Your contact information (mailing address, phone number, or email)
  • Fill out the Public Information Request Form. Please allow up to 10 days for processing. If your request is unclear, the City may ask for more details to provide the correct records.  
  • For POLICE RECORDS, submit your request to pdrecords@cityofhewitt.com.

Cost of Copies of Public Information

Specific requests may incur costs. If charges exceed $40, an estimate will be provided to the requestor, and if charges exceed $100, a deposit will be required before proceeding with the fulfillment of the request. See the Texas Administrative Code, Rule 70.03, for additional charges.

For More Information

Additional information is available on the Office of the Texas Attorney General's website.