| Opinion
No. |
Issue(s)
|
March |
|
AO-01-15 |
A
private entity that exercises no governmental authority
and is not wholly or principally supported by government
funds is not a public body subject to FOIA's records and
meeting requirements. Money received by a private entity
from government sources under a procurement contract should
not be used to determine whether an entity is wholly or
principally supported by public funds. |
AO-02-15 |
Whether
a record is exempt as a "working paper" depends
on the purpose for which it was created, the person for
whom it was created, and whether it has been disseminated
beyond the personal or deliberative use of the official
who holds the exemption. |
April |
|
AO-03-15 |
There
may be multiple custodians of public records, including
databases, if multiple public bodies possess and use the
records in the transaction of their respective public
business. |
May |
|
AO-04-15 |
A
public body does not have to create a new record that
does not already exist, but may abstract or summarize
information under such terms and conditions as agreed
between the requester and the public body. Clear and concise
communications are critical when making and responding
to requests. |
June |
|
AO-05-15 |
Meeting
minutes must include a summary of the discussion on matters
proposed, deliberated or decided, and a record of any
votes taken. A verbatim transcript is not required. A
public body has the discretion to include specific comments
made at the meeting or not so long as the minutes include
the required summary and record of votes. |
August |
|
AO-06-15 |
A
public body may not convene a closed meeting under the
personnel exemption to discuss salary increases when the
discussion does not concern specific individual public
officers, appointees, or employees. |
September |
|
AO-07-15 |
Generally,
FOIA does not prohibit the release of public records or
the exercise of free speech. FOIA does not grant special
rights to elected officials that differ from those of
other Virginia citizens. Real estate appraisals may be
withheld until the completion of a proposed purchase,
sale, or lease. |
October |
|
AO-08-15 |
Body
worn and dashboard video recordings made by law enforcement
are public records subject to FOIA. The application of
exemptions from mandatory disclosure depends on the contents
of the video. |
