FOIA Request to Chatham County regarding vendor payment registers on January 15, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Chatham County, North Carolina, by Old North News. The request seeks access to vendor payment registers maintained by the county for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. This request was made under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. ยง132-1.
The requested records include detailed information such as the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of goods or services purchased. Old North News emphasized the importance of accessing these public records in order to fulfill its role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable.
Old North News has also requested a fee waiver for this FOIA request, citing its status as a media organization dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public. The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws.
Of note, in Chatham County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, only 30.4% of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT were considered ready for college. This statistic underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance and education systems.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
