Commissioner, county attorney call for Freedom of Information Act policy in Butte-Silver Bow

Commissioner, county attorney call for Freedom of Information Act policy in Butte-Silver Bow

Butte-Silver Bow County currently lacks a formal Freedom of Information Act policy, despite state mandates requiring one. This gap has resulted in inconsistent handling of public records requests, leaving officials unable to guarantee full transparency or efficient document retrieval for citizens and media. Leadership is actively proposing a standardized policy to streamline access to government information. By adopting a clear process similar to neighboring counties, officials aim to demonstrate that the county has nothing to hide and ensure all public inquiries are directed correctly and answered consistently. This development is crucial for open data advocates, as it highlights the necessity of clear protocols for data accessibility. Without such policies, even willing agencies may fail to meet legal obligations, undermining public trust and the systematic sharing of civic information that defines robust open government practices.

Source: kxlf.com
Published on 2025-02-27