Public Records

The records of the Town of Springdale are open to inspection and review by members the public. See our records policy here.

If you are interested in obtaining copies or viewing certain records on file at Town Hall, please make an appointment with the clerk so that we can be sure to make your visit as efficient and successful as possible. Because some records are in storage and may be difficult to locate, advanced notice via an appointment is much appreciated. 

Make a Request

Requests can be made in-person, verbally over the phone, or by mail/email. Written (mailed or emailed) requests are preferred for clarity and documentation purposes. To easily make a request, email the clerk by clicking here.

To ensure a successful and quick fulfillment of your request, please be sure the following elements are present in your request:

• subject matter - specifically name the desired record(s), if known. If unknown, describe the record(s) with enough detail to aid in our search. Overly broad requests are subject to clarifying questions and potentially denial. 
   
• timeframe - you must include a date range if your requested record(s) are not already specific to a certain time. As with subject matter, requests with no date range or a range too broad are subject to clarification requests, the application of location fees and/or denial of your request. 
   
• subject of the request - does your request pertain to one particular Town official, or to the entirety of Town records? Specifying the custodian(s) of the records - e.g. clerk, town chair, treasurer, etc. - can help us narrow our search and ensure a speedy fulfillment. 
   
• Examples:
  • "I am requesting the meeting minutes from the October 2015 town board meeting."
  • "I am requesting all emails from the developer of xyz subdivision to the town chair, sent or received between March 1, 2009 and April 30, 2009."
  • "Please send me a copy of the upcoming plan commission agenda."

The following important notes may apply to your request:

• drafts, notes, preliminary documents, and materials prepared for the originator’s personal use are not records subject to disclosure
• a request for general information is not a records request (i.e. "what does the board think about xyz?" or, "when will the board vote on xyz?") 
• requestors are entitled to obtain records in the same format in which they currently exist. The Town is not required to create a new record to fulfill a records request. 

Fees

Your request may be subject to location fees, copying fees or both. As per our records policy linked above, the Town applies a fee of $.25/page copied to requests not fulfilled electronically. This fee covers the cost of paper and printer toner. Location fees may only be charged if the actual costs total $50 or more. Prepayment may be required for copying or location fees totaling $5 or more. 

More Information

For more information on Wisconsin's open records law, click the link below for the Wisconsin Public Records Law Compliance Guide published by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Please also reach out to us with any questions by calling (608) 437-6230. We are here to help!

https://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/default/files/office-open-government/Resources/PRL-GUIDE.pdf

Wis. Stat. 19.31 In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the public policy of this state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. Further, providing persons with such information is declared to be an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information. To that end, ss. 19.32 to 19.37 shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business. The denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied.