FOIA Request to Washington County regarding new contracts or amendments on February 1, 2026.
On February 1, 2026, Old North News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Washington County in North Carolina. The request sought access to records concerning 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 specific details: the title of the contract or amendment, names of contracting parties, effective and approval dates, contract amounts or amended values, and descriptions of the goods or services covered. The aim is to gather information of public interest for dissemination to the public while ensuring transparency and accountability within local governmental affairs.
Old North News has emphasized that this request does not necessitate the creation of new documents but seeks existing records. If any part of the request is denied or withheld, they have asked for a specific statutory basis for such denial and for all reasonably segregable portions of the records to be released. They also expressed willingness to receive these records in electronic format if available.
As a member of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization assisting media companies and advocacy groups—Old North News leverages Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to investigate governmental agencies at both state and federal levels. This initiative aims to inform the American electorate by providing transparency into government actions.
Of note, in Washington County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, only six out of 68 junior students taking the reading portion of the ACT were considered ready for college. This statistic highlights ongoing challenges within local education systems which may be addressed through greater transparency in governmental contracts affecting educational resources.
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.
