Public Records Requests: Your Rights and How It Works

At the City of Beatrice, we believe in transparency. Nebraska’s public records law gives every person the right to inspect and copy most records created or kept by the City. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, student, or journalist, you have the right to request and inspect public documents.

What is a Public Record?

Public records include things like City Council meeting minutes, ordinances, budgets, police reports, building permits, and many other documents created by City departments. However, not all records are public.  Certain records are protected by law (such as ongoing criminal investigation files, personnel records with private information, or attorney-client communications). See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05 for a full list of records that may be withheld.

How to Make a Public Records Request

Making a request is simple:

• Fill out the City of Beatrice Public Records Request Form, which can be found here.
• You can submit your request to the City Clerk’s Office or via email.
• Be as specific as possible about the records you are requesting. For example, specific dates and date ranges help to narrow the scope of requests. Open-ended or broad requests take much longer for us to respond.

How Long Does It Take?

The City is required to respond to your request “as soon as is practicable and without delay, but not more than four business days after actual receipt of the request.” For straightforward requests, you will often receive a response within a few business days. More complex or large requests may take longer, which is authorized in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(4).  If we need additional time is needed, we will notify you.

Are There Any Costs?

There is no charge to inspect records. However, if you want copies, the City may charge a reasonable fee for the actual cost of copying and staff time required to fulfill the request. For Nebraska residents, charges apply after the first eight (8) cumulative hours of searching, identifying, redacting, or copying. For nonresidents of Nebraska, the City may charge a reasonable fee for all such staff time. We will provide you with an estimate before proceeding.

What if the Records I Requested Don’t Exist?

When a request asks for documents that the City does not have, or in a format that the records do not exist in, the City is not required to produce or generate such records or to provide them in a new or different form or format from that of the original public record.

How to Submit a Request

Send your request to:

City Clerk’s Office  
400 Ella Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
Email: esaathoff@beatrice.ne.gov

We are happy to help you find the information you need. If you have questions about the process, feel free to call the City Clerk’s Office at (402) 228-5200.

The City of Beatrice is committed to open government. Thank you for your interest in the work we do for our community.

Taylor Rivera
City Attorney