To process your request as quickly as possible, information needs to be as specific as possible. Requests will be provided as quickly as possible within ten (10) business days.
Please note that if your request is vague or overly broad, the Laguna Madre Water District (LMWD) may, in compliance with section 552.222 of the Texas Government Code, request clarification of your request in order to ensure we understand what information you are requesting.
The Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions. A person may ask to view information, get copies of the information, or both. If a request is for copies of information, the governmental body may charge for the copies as well as labor and related charges.
The rates used to calculate the cost of responding to Public Information Act requests are set by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and adopted by the LMWD. There is a charge of $0.10 per page, plus personnel time if the request exceeds fifty pages, plus postage. Personnel time is charged at $15 per hour plus 20% of the personnel charge for overhead.
Although the Public Information Act makes most government information available to the public, some exceptions exist. If an exception might apply or if the information is considered confidential and the LMWD wishes to withhold the information, the LMWD generally must, within ten business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the OAG for a ruling on whether an exception applies. If the OAG rules that an exception applies, the LMWD may not release the information. You may also find more detailed information regarding the Texas Public Information Act in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code or on the OAG’s website.
