sevier county no longer requires fee's for review of public records

In a statement released on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 from Anne Butterworth at the State of Tennessee, a decision was handed down that Sevier County will no longer impose an access fee for inspection of public documents. There will however be a few instances where an access fee may be charged in order to inspect certain public documents. Sevier County is currently re-evaluating the per page charge for copies.

The ruling was in response to complaints filed with the Office of Open Records and regarded the disputed policy of Sevier County to impose fees for access to public records. The issue came to a head when a county commissioner requested copies of county records and was then told he would be charged for the service. 

Jerry McCarter, the county attorney, along with Mayor Larry Waters and a few others spoke on several occasions to discuss the county's policy on providing access to and copies of records.

It was also based on those conversations, that requests for inspection of public records not be required to be made in writing.

Records custodians however will be permitted to record in writing what they hear a citizen has asked to inspect; furthermore, records custodians are required by law to request that copy inquiries be made in writing.

The Sevier County office of Open Records advises that if you are asked by a county records custodian in Sevier County to submit a written request or are charged a fee to inspect public records or documents, to please make the office aware.