HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-PAD-026 Access to InformationCOUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
POLICY NO: 2012 - PAD -026
TITLE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ADOPTED: June 7, 2012 (C- 184/12)
SUPERCEDES NO: 2008 - PAD -026
TO BE
REVIEWED:
PAGE NO: 1 of 4
POLICY PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for responding to general access
to information requests from the public. Formal requests for information under the
Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) must be processed
according to that legislation.
1. Tax Certificates
a. Upon payment of fees specified in the Schedule of Fees bylaw, the
County Administrator, or such other person who is authorized by the
County Administrator, shall issue to any person, a certificate showing
whether or not all taxes in respect of any assessable parcel of land or
other property have been paid and, if not, the amount of current taxes
and arrears payable against the parcel or other property
2. Tax Statements
a. The County Administrator, or such other person who is authorized by
the County Administrator, shall issue to any person a tax statement
upon payment of the fee specified in the Schedule of Fees bylaw.
3. Assessment Information
a. The County Administrator, or such other person who is authorized by
the County Administrator, shall issue a copy of an assessment record
to any person:
i. upon written request, giving the legal description of the parcel
by which it can be located, and
ii. upon payment of the fee specified in the Schedule of Fees
bylaw, shall issue a copy of the assessment showing the
description of the parcel as set out in the assessment roll, and
the latest assessed value of the land and of the improvements
thereon as set out in the assessment roll.
COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
POLICY NO: 2012 - PAD -026
TITLE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ADOPTED: June 7, 2012 (C- 184 /12)
SUPERCEDES NO: 2008 - PAD -026
TO BE
REVIEWED:
PAGE NO: 2 of 4
b. Upon receipt of a written request, the County Administrator, or such
other person who is authorized by the County Administrator, will
provide such backup information as is relevant to the preparation of an
assessment provided that, in no event, will inspection reports and field
sheets be released.
4. General
a. Any person will be allowed to view the assessment of any assessed
property within the municipality during regular office hours at a time
convenient to office staff and payment of the fee specified in the
Schedule of Fees bylaw.
b. Upon written request, information on taxes and assessment may be
given to lawyers or owners.
c. Those exempted from this policy for purposes of obtaining information
only are Agriculture Development Corporation, Farm Credit, V.L.A.,
E.I.D., Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation, Federal and Provincial
Agents.
d. Previous years' assessments are available upon payment of the fee
specified for Assessment Information in the Schedule of Fees bylaw.
5. Certificate of Compliance
a. A certificate of compliance will be completed by the County of Newell
upon payment of the fee specified in the Schedule of Fees bylaw.
6. Other Public Information Requests
All requests for information shall be in writing, giving precise and specific
details of the request, and are subject to the fees outlined in the Schedule of
Fees bylaw, which must be paid prior to information being released. Staff
COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
POLICY NO: 2012- PAD -026
TITLE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ADOPTED: June 7, 2012 (C- 184/12)
SUPERCEDES NO: 2008 - PAD -026
TO BE
REVIEWED:
PAGE NO: 3 of 4
research time will be charged at the rate specified in the Schedule of Fees
bylaw.
Requests for information not covered in this policy will be handled on an
individual basis.
Specific Examples
Any questions regarding disclosure of information should be directed to the
County's FOIPP Coordinator.
General
The following information WILL NOT be disclosed:
• Internal memos so long as they have not been debated /discussed at a
meeting open to the public.
• Reports, studies, consultations, proposals relative to contract
negotiations or pending policy or budget decisions.
• Files on Bylaw enforcement action.
• Litigation related files.
• Information presented in a meeting closed to the public.
• Drafts of proposed Bylaws, resolutions, etc. that have not been
discussed in a public meeting.
Personnel Information
Information that is releasable includes:
• Salary ranges;
• Employment responsibilities;
• Councillor remuneration;
• Salaries of designated officers.
Information that is NOT RELEASABLE includes:
• Individual salaries;
• Performance evaluations;
• Health data.
COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
POLICY NO: 2012 - PAD -026
TITLE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ADOPTED: June 7, 2012 (C- 184 /12)
SUPERCEDES NO: 2008 - PAD -026
TO BE
REVIEWED:
PAGE NO: 4 of 4
Tenders
Confidential Proprietary Information Tenders or confidential proprietary information
that relates to trade secrets is not releasable if disclosure might create harm, undue
advantage, or reveal a trade secret. (Note: if tenders are opened at a public
meeting, their contents are subject to release. If tenders are not opened at a
public meeting, but the bids are announced, detailed information related to the
tender submission may not be released if the above provisions apply.)
Contracts
Deliberations, proposals, studies, and negotiations leading to contracts will not be
released. Executed contracts will be disclosed.