FOIA Request to City of Hickory regarding vendor payment registers on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the City of Hickory by Old North News, a media organization dedicated to providing thorough and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request, dated February 1, 2026, seeks access to specific public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1.
The request specifically asks for the city’s existing vendor payment register for the immediately preceding calendar month. The requested records should include details such as the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased. The request emphasizes that it seeks only records that currently exist and does not require the creation of new documents.
In the event any portion of this request is denied or withheld, Old North News has asked for a specific statutory basis for such denial and requests that all reasonably segregable portions of the records be released. The organization has expressed a preference for receiving these records in electronic format if available.
Old North News asserts its role in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public. They have also requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional involved in disseminating information.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using Freedom of Information laws. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
