The Woodlands, TX (Montgomery County Monitor) - On May 16, 2007 the Office of the Texas Attorney General issued a ruling in regards to a complaint against The Woodlands Fire Department for failure to release requested information. The original request asked for a check register including payroll for a one month period. The Woodlands Fire Department refused to release the requested information, triggering the complaint.
The Attorney General letter states,
“…the information requested is subject to disclosure under the [Public Information] Act and must be released to the requestor…”
Even though the ruling states the information must be released, The Woodlands still has a choice. The Woodlands will decide to release the requested information, pursue legal action against the Attorney General or ignore the ruling and do nothing.
The ruling also states that The Woodlands Fire Department does receive “public funds” from several sources. It goes on to state the funds received from the Town Center Improvement District as well as Montgomery County constitute general support of The Woodlands Fire Department. The use of public funds for general support of the fire department is one of the requirements that subject the department to the Texas Public Information Act.
