Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Greg Trout filed this request with the Jefferson County Environmental Services of Jefferson County, AL.
Submitted Aug. 5, 2016
Status
Rejected

Communications

From: Greg Trout

Subject: None

Mail

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Alabama's Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Actual copies or histories of all water and sewer bills (including consumption and billed amounts, as well as applicable rate schedules) for the previous 12 months for any and all accounts or meters tied to customers spending over $50,000 annually on sewer services.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I would request your response within ten (10) business days.

Sincerely,

Greg Trout

From: Smith, Justin

Subject: None

Email

Hi,

We've received the attached requests. Before we can process, please have the citizen fill out the attached form, and return to this office.

Best Regards

Justin Smith

Justin Smith
Confidential Assistant
Tony Petelos
Chief Executive Officer
Office: 205-731-2880
Direct: 205-325-5158
Fax: 205-731-2879
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.
Suite 251
Birmingham, AL 35203

Find us on the web: www.jccal.org<http://www.jccal.org>
Follow us on Twitter: @jeffcotoday<https://twitter.com/JeffCoToda>
Like us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyAL/>!

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This email and any attachments may be confidential and protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and deleting this copy and the reply from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Greg Trout

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Good afternoon Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your e-mail. Upon review, I was unable to locate any portion of code which requires that such form be completed prior to obtaining public record. Accordingly, could you provide citation confirming that such a requirement exists?

Thank you,

Greg Trout

From: Smith, Justin

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Thank you for your message. I have not seen any of the follow up requests to date (They do not appear to be in my inbox), or received a copy of the form we asked to be returned before investigating this request. In regards to your question, it is established through case law that the County may require a basic form to process public records requests. That form is attached.

Best Regards,

Justin Smith

Justin Smith
Confidential Assistant
Tony Petelos
Chief Executive Officer
Office: 205-731-2880
Direct: 205-325-5158
Fax: 205-731-2879
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.
Suite 251
Birmingham, AL 35203

Find us on the web: www.jccal.org<http://www.jccal.org>
Follow us on Twitter: @jeffcotoday<https://twitter.com/JeffCoToda>
Like us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyAL/>!

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This email and any attachments may be confidential and protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and deleting this copy and the reply from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: MuckRock

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find attached the requested form.

Thank you.

From: Greg Trout

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Good afternoon,

I wanted to follow up with regards to my request - would you be able to advise as to the current status?

Thank you,

Greg Trout

From: Greg Trout

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Good afternoon,

I am again following up with regards to my request. Please advise in the event that anything further is necessary in order to process. I hope this message finds you well.

Sincerely,

Greg Trout

From: Greg Trout

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Good morning,

I wanted to reach out again regarding my request. I don't believe I've heard back since submittal of the requested form. Regardless, I hope you have a happy New Year.

Best regards,

Greg Trout

From: Smith, Justin

Subject: RE: Public Records Request: Water & Sewer Utility Billing > $50,000 Sewer Annually

Email

Mr. Trout:

Please allow this correspondence to serve as Jefferson County's response to your request for information. Specifically, your request seeks "[a]ctual copies or histories of all water and sewer bills (including consumption and billed amounts, as well as applicable rate schedules) for the previous 12 months for any and all accounts or meters tied to customers spending over $50,000 annually on sewer services." The rate schedules are available on Jefferson County's website. As set out below, Jefferson County cannot comply with the remainder of your request without unduly interfering with and hindering the discharge of Jefferson County's day-to-day operations and duties.

As an initial matter, ยง 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code pertains to a citizen's right to inspect public writings. The address identified in your request to Jefferson County indicates that you are not an Alabama citizen. Thus, Jefferson County is within its rights to deny your request on this basis alone. Nevertheless, Jefferson County reviewed your request. Jefferson County does not prepare a summary report of annual customer bills and does not have the ability to feasibly or readily identify which customers spend over $50,000 annually on sewer services. Furthermore, consumption data is located on three separate and distinct billing systems, only one of which is under the control and custody of Jefferson County. In order to comply with your request, Jefferson County would first have to request consumption data from its billing partners. The data would have to be compiled and this will likely require the creation of custom reports. Compliance with your request would unquestionably require a considerable expenditure of time and money by Jefferson County. In short, the request places an unreasonable burden on and unduly interferes with and hinders the day-to-day operations and duties of Jefferson County.

Best regards, and a happy New Year to you as well.

Justin

Justin Smith
Assistant to County Manager
Tony Petelos
Chief Executive Officer
Office: 205-731-2880
Direct: 205-325-5158
Fax: 205-731-2879
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.
Suite 251
Birmingham, AL 35203

Find us on the web: www.jccal.org<http://www.jccal.org/>
Follow us on Twitter: @jeffcotoday<https://twitter.com/JeffCoToda>
Like us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyAL/>!

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This email and any attachments may be confidential and protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and deleting this copy and the reply from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.

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