Freedom of Information Act Coordinator

Section 6 of the Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 442 of 1976, MCL 15.231, et seq., requires a township to designate an individual as the township's FOIA coordinator. (MCL 15.236)

Sample Resolution to Designate FOIA Coordinator (Word file)

The FOIA coordinator is responsible for accepting and processing requests for the township's public records and for approving a denial under MCL 15.235(4) and (5).

It is not a statutory duty of any specific township office or officer to serve as FOIA coordinator, and any township official or employee may serve as FOIA coordinator. A township board member may serve as FOIA coordinator as an "additional duty," and may receive additional compensation outside the salary of his or her office for serving as FOIA coordinator.

The FOIA coordinator may designate another individual to act on his or her behalf in accepting and processing requests for the public body's public records, and in approving a denial.

Note that, although only the FOIA coordinator or his or her designee(s) may deny a request, all township officials and employees must assist in handling a FOIA request to inspect or receive a copy of public records and should be knowledgeable about the FOIA's requirements and the township's procedures for handling requests.