Denied: Tax information requiring compilation of record
March 09, 2009 Filed in: Denied
| Springfield
Twp | Tax
collectors | Tax liens
| Record
doesn't exist | Certified
copies
Denied: Four requests seeking
two types of real estate tax information with
regard to 24 parcels in Springfield Township.
From
the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information
Coalition
Denied: Four requests seeking two types of real estate tax information with regard to 24 parcels in Springfield Township.
The township maintained that the information sought did not exist in an existing record, but would have to be researched and created by township staff.
In response to the township's denial, the requester said that the information "is maintained on computers ... Just provide a print screen of each page that represents the information we requested." He noted that the requested information is provided without incident when a $15 fee for certification is paid.
The Office of Open Records agreed with the township, however:
"The fact that the township is willing to research in multiple databases to compile the same information into a certification upon the payment of the $15 fee does not mean that the township maintains its records in that form," the Office of Open Records noted. "While the OOR agrees that printouts of screens in multiple databases do not constitute creating a record, printouts of screens is not what [the requester] asked for in the request. The request as written seeks the creation and compilation of a record, a duty which is expressly not placed upon agencies [under the Right to Know Law.]
Signature Information Solutions vs. Springfield Township -- AP 2009-0021
Denied: Four requests seeking two types of real estate tax information with regard to 24 parcels in Springfield Township.
The township maintained that the information sought did not exist in an existing record, but would have to be researched and created by township staff.
In response to the township's denial, the requester said that the information "is maintained on computers ... Just provide a print screen of each page that represents the information we requested." He noted that the requested information is provided without incident when a $15 fee for certification is paid.
The Office of Open Records agreed with the township, however:
"The fact that the township is willing to research in multiple databases to compile the same information into a certification upon the payment of the $15 fee does not mean that the township maintains its records in that form," the Office of Open Records noted. "While the OOR agrees that printouts of screens in multiple databases do not constitute creating a record, printouts of screens is not what [the requester] asked for in the request. The request as written seeks the creation and compilation of a record, a duty which is expressly not placed upon agencies [under the Right to Know Law.]
Signature Information Solutions vs. Springfield Township -- AP 2009-0021