FOIA Request to Town of Burnsville regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Town of Burnsville by Old North News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1, specifically targeting procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the city during the immediately preceding calendar month.
The records requested include details such as solicitation or project titles, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The request emphasizes that it is limited to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. Additionally, if any part of the request is denied or withheld, Old North News has asked for a specific statutory basis for such denial along with all reasonably segregable portions of the records.
Old North News also highlighted its role in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency. As a member of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, they have requested a fee waiver due to their media status. This non-profit organization assists news media companies in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws.
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.
