Openness in City Government and FOIA

Openness In City Government From the Mayor

My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in city government, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because openness will strengthen our city government by making it more effective and accountable. We must all work together to establish a system of transparency, public participation, and accountability. 

Public documents must be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas, within 3 business days, upon request in accordance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The requester may examine records and request copies of documents, and it is the policy of this Administration to provide those documents as soon as possible in accordance with the FOIA. 

How to Request Information

Public records are open to inspection and photocopying during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays and during office closures).

Online FOIA requests are managed through the Fayetteville, Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request page. Requests for both general and police FOIA requests may be made via this page.

Consistent with state law, we will respond as quickly as possible to all documents requested by citizens, allowing them to examine the records and providing copies of all public information in forms that the public can readily find and use.

If you have questions about the Freedom of Information Act, please contact the City's FOIA Coordinator at cityfoia@fayetteville-ar.gov, or call the City Attorney’s Office at 479-575-8313.

Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The State Attorney General's Office, along with the Arkansas Press Association, has generated a handbook on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

You may contact the attorney general's office at the FOIA hotline, 800-482-8982, to request a copy of the handbook or with any FOIA questions. The handbook is available online in Adobe Acrobat format at the Arkansas Press Association website. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the handbook.