FOIA Request to Pitt County regarding vendor payment registers on January 15, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Pitt County by Old North News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to vendor payment registers maintained by the county for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The records requested include details such as the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.
The request emphasizes the importance of access to public records for media professionals in fulfilling their responsibilities of holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. Old North News has requested these records in electronic format and has also sought a fee waiver due to their role as a media organization.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists news media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies. This coalition utilizes Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to promote transparency in government actions. More information about this organization can be found on their website at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Of note, within Pitt County school districts, only 20.2% of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT were considered ready for college during the 2022-23 school year. This statistic highlights ongoing educational challenges within the county that may intersect with broader governmental accountability issues being investigated by organizations like Old North News.
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.
