Custodian of Public Records

The Custodian of Public Records for the City of Bartow is the City Clerk.

The State of Florida adopted the Chapter 119 website of the Florida Statutes or the "Public Records Law" in 1909. Florida's public records law, listed in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, defines public records as:

"All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software or other material, regardless of physical form, or characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."

Requests & Fulfillment

Public records held by the City are available upon request for inspection or copying pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes website, and Article I, Section 24 of the State Constitution website.

Access to Public Records

Some public records are already provided for the public on the City's website and are immediately available for viewing and downloading. Other records are not as readily available and will have to be located, reviewed for exempt or confidential information, and redacted if necessary. As such, the time to fulfill a public records request will vary depending upon the particular record or records requested and the volume of the request.

The City Clerk’s Office is committed to fulfilling your request as quickly and efficiently as is reasonably possible.

Cost

Fees for copies of records are provided in s. 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, the general fee provision for copies of public records. Fees for those records generally are 15 cents per page for paper copies. Some requests, however, may be subject to a statutorily - authorized special service charge for extensive use of information technology resources or personnel services or both. Service charges are determined by the lowest paid employee assigned to assist in filling the public records request.

Any applicable charges will be invoiced and any charges must be paid prior to delivery of copies.

Making a Public Record Request

Public records requests can be made by either by phone, email, mail, telephone, fax, or in person.

  • E-mail the Record Custodian
  • By Mail or in Person:
    • City Clerk’s Office
      City of Bartow
      450 N. Wilson Avenue
      Bartow, FL 33830
  • By Telephone: 863-534-0100
  • By Fax: 863-534-0409