FOIL Submission Audit: Village of Brockport (Moderate Friction/ Mandatory Disclosure)
→ This post is part of the Monroe County FOIL Submission Audit.
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TL;DR
The Village of Brockport provides an online FOIL request form with relatively limited required fields but offers minimal public guidance regarding submission alternatives, appeal rights, or Records Access Officer identification. The submission process introduces moderate friction due to mandatory contact disclosures and incomplete FOIL disclosures on the webpage.
How FOIL Requests Are Submitted in the Village of Brockport
The Village of Brockport directs requesters to submit FOIL requests using an online request form available on the Village website.
The webpage provides only a brief instruction:
“Use this form to request information under the Freedom of Information Law.”
No additional submission methods (email, mail, fax, or in-person) are clearly documented on the page.
Online FOIL Form Requirements
The Brockport FOIL submission form requires the requester to provide:
- Name of applicant (required)
- Email address
- Mailing address (required)
- Telephone number (required)
- Description of records requested (required)
- Preference for electronic response
The form also includes a CAPTCHA-style verification field.
Mandatory Disclosure Identified
Submission is conditioned on disclosure of a name, mailing address, and telephone number, none of which are required by FOIL in order to submit a valid request.
Timelines and Fees
The webpage states:
- A notice of decision will be sent within five (5) business days
- No fee is charged for records provided electronically (when feasible)
- Paper copies are charged at $0.25 per page
- Audio and video duplication may incur additional costs
This information aligns generally with FOIL requirements.
Missing or Unclear FOIL Disclosures
The Brockport FOIL page does not clearly disclose:
- The identity or contact information of the Records Access Officer
- How to submit a FOIL request without using the online form
- The appeals process or appeals officer
- Inspection rights for in-person record review
As presented, the online form functions as both the submission mechanism and the primary source of FOIL guidance.
Anonymous or Low-Disclosure Submission
The Village of Brockport does not clearly support anonymous or low-disclosure FOIL submission:
- Required name, address, and phone number fields
- No documented alternative submission pathway that omits these disclosures
Assessment
The Village of Brockport’s FOIL submission process demonstrates partial accessibility but lacks transparency and flexibility at intake.
Key findings include:
- Online form available
- Mandatory disclosure of personal contact information
- Clear fee disclosure
- Minimal procedural guidance
- Appeals and Records Access Officer information not presented on the FOIL page
Summary Scorecard
- FOIL form required (as presented): Yes
- Online submission available: Yes
- Email or written submission clearly documented: No
- Records Access Officer identified: No
- Appeals process disclosed: No
- Mandatory disclosure required: Yes
- Anonymous submission clearly supported: No
- Overall assessment: Moderate Friction – Limited Guidance
Conclusion
The Village of Brockport provides a functional but underspecified FOIL submission process. While the required disclosures are narrower than those seen in higher-friction municipalities, the lack of clear FOIL guidance, alternative submission methods, and appeals information introduces moderate friction at intake.
Within the Monroe County FOIL Submission Audit, Brockport represents a minimal-information FOIL portal that could be substantially improved through clearer disclosure rather than additional administrative controls.
Legal & Reference Notes
- New York Public Officers Law §§ 87–89
- Village of Brockport FOIL request webpage