FOIA Request to Town of Columbus regarding new or amended contracts on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Old North News to the Town of Columbus, North Carolina, seeking access to specific public records. The request was made under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., and aims to obtain copies of the town’s new contracts and any amendments to existing contracts that were executed, approved, or became effective during the immediately preceding calendar month.
The requested records include several key details: the title of each contract or amendment, names of contracting parties involved, effective and approval dates, contract amounts or amended values, and descriptions of the goods or services covered. The request emphasizes that it seeks only existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. Additionally, if any part 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 be released.
Old North News has expressed its willingness to receive these records in electronic format if available. As a media organization committed to gathering information in the public interest for dissemination, they have also requested a fee waiver based on their role in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency.
The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting news media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found on their website 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.
