How to File a Public Records Request in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jonesboro is the cultural and economic hub of Northeast Arkansas, situated on Crowley's Ridge in Craighead County. Home to Arkansas State University and a growing population of more than 82,000 residents, Jonesboro is the fifth-largest city in the state and one of its fastest-growing communities. The city generates a significant volume of public records — from police reports and building permits to city council minutes and vendor contracts. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101 et seq.), Arkansas citizens have a strong legal right to inspect and copy these records. The City of Jonesboro handles FOIA requests through its Communications Department, which coordinates responses across all city departments via an online portal. This guide walks you through exactly how to request public records from Jonesboro, Arkansas — including who to contact, what forms to use, and what to do if your request is delayed or denied.
What Is the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act?
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 25-19-101 through 25-19-112, is one of the nation's oldest open records laws. Enacted in 1967, it guarantees that any citizen of the State of Arkansas may inspect and copy public records during the regular business hours of the records custodian. The law applies broadly to all state and local government bodies, including cities, counties, school districts, and any organizations supported by public funds.
A "public record" under the FOIA includes any writing, recorded sound, film, tape, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilation that constitutes a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions. This encompasses building permits, city council meeting minutes, contracts, emails between officials, budgets, police incident reports, zoning applications, and much more.
Key exemptions include personnel and employee evaluation records (subject to a balancing test and Attorney General review), ongoing law enforcement investigations, medical and adoption records, tax records, attorney-client privileged communications, unpublished working papers of the Governor and other high officials, and records that would give competitive advantage to bidders. When an exemption applies, the custodian must separate exempt from non-exempt material and release everything that is not exempt. The burden is always on the government to justify withholding — never on the citizen to prove the records should be released.
How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Jonesboro
Contact Information
- Office
- Director of Communications, Communications Department
- Address
- 300 South Church Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401
- Phone
- (870) 336-7164
- dmalone@jonesboro.org
- Website
- https://www.jonesboroar.gov/712/Freedom-of-Information-Act-FOIA-Records-
- Hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How to Submit Your Request
The City of Jonesboro accepts FOIA requests through its online FOIA portal, by email, by mail, or in person. The preferred and most efficient method is to submit your request through the City's online portal at jonesboroar.gov, which is managed by the Communications Department. The City also uses the JustFOIA platform (jonesboroar.justfoia.com) to track and process requests. No specific form is legally required — a written letter or email clearly identifying the records you seek is sufficient under Arkansas law. For police-specific records, the Jonesboro Police Department has its own records request process at jonesboropolice.com. Be as specific as possible in describing the records you need, including relevant dates, names, case numbers, and document types. Proof of Arkansas residency is required before records can be released.
What to Include in Your Request
- Your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number
- A clear statement that you are a citizen of the State of Arkansas (required by law)
- A reference to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105)
- A specific and detailed description of the records you are requesting
- Relevant date ranges, names, case numbers, departments, or document types
- Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic copies, paper, or in-person inspection)
- A statement of the maximum fee you are willing to pay without prior notification
Sample Request Letter
Communications Department
City of Jonesboro
300 South Church Street
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Re: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear Director of Communications:
I am a citizen of the State of Arkansas, and pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105), I am requesting the opportunity to inspect and/or obtain copies of the following public records:
[Describe the records you are seeking with as much detail as possible, including relevant dates, names, departments, case numbers, and document types.]
I would prefer to receive these records in electronic format, sent to the email address listed below. If the records are only available in hard copy, please notify me of the arrangements for pickup or mailing.
If the estimated costs of reproducing these records exceed $25.00, please notify me before proceeding. I am willing to pay reasonable reproduction costs up to $[amount].
Please respond within three (3) working days as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(e). If any portion of this request is denied, please cite the specific statutory exemption justifying the withholding and release all non-exempt portions as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(f).
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
Response Deadlines and What to Expect
Under the Arkansas FOIA, records that are immediately available must be provided on the spot during regular business hours. If a record is in active use or storage and not immediately available, the custodian must certify this fact in writing and make the record available within three (3) working days under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(e).
It is important to note that Arkansas limits FOIA access to citizens of the state. Non-residents of Arkansas do not have a statutory right to request records under the FOIA. The City of Jonesboro requires proof of Arkansas residency before records can be released.
The three-day window is a maximum, not a target — the law expects prompt disclosure. However, for voluminous or complex requests, the Arkansas Attorney General has indicated that a custodian may need a "reasonable time" beyond three days, determined on a case-by-case basis. If the City of Jonesboro needs additional time, the Communications Department should communicate this to you.
Regarding fees, the City may charge only the actual costs of reproducing records, plus mailing expenses. Search or retrieval fees based on staff time are not permitted under Arkansas law. If estimated costs exceed $25, the City may require prepayment before copying. The custodian must provide an itemized breakdown of any charges under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(d). Inspection of records in person is always free — you cannot be charged for simply looking at public records. Copies may also be furnished free or at reduced cost if the request is primarily for noncommercial purposes and a waiver is in the public interest.
What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed
If the City of Jonesboro denies your FOIA request or fails to respond within three working days, you have legal options. Common reasons for denial include claimed exemptions for personnel records, ongoing law enforcement investigations, attorney-client privilege, or a determination that the requested documents don't constitute public records.
Start by following up informally. A phone call to the Communications Department at (870) 336-7164 or a follow-up through the City's JustFOIA portal can often resolve misunderstandings or clarify the scope of your request. Sometimes a request is delayed rather than denied, and direct communication can move things forward.
If the denial stands, Arkansas law provides a direct path to court — there is no mandatory administrative appeal process. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107(a), any citizen denied rights under the FOIA may appeal immediately to the circuit court of the appropriate judicial district. For requests denied by the City of Jonesboro, this would be the Craighead County Circuit Court. The court must schedule a hearing within seven days of your petition.
For personnel and employee evaluation records specifically, either the requester, the custodian, or the subject of the records may seek an advisory opinion from the Arkansas Attorney General within one business day of the initial decision. The AG must respond within three working days.
Arkansas has a favorable attorney's fees provision for requesters. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107(d), when the defendant is a local government agency, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses to a plaintiff who has substantially prevailed, unless the court finds the defendant's position was substantially justified. Fees may be assessed against the requester only if the court finds the lawsuit was initiated primarily for frivolous or dilatory purposes.
Steps to Appeal
- Follow up informally with the City of Jonesboro Communications Department at (870) 336-7164 or through the JustFOIA portal to clarify the request or resolve any misunderstanding.
- Request a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(b) that the City claims justifies withholding.
- For personnel or evaluation records, seek an advisory opinion from the Arkansas Attorney General under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(c)(3), who must respond within three working days.
- Contact the Arkansas Attorney General's FOIA guidance office at (501) 682-2007 for general assistance on whether the denial is lawful.
- File a petition in Craighead County Circuit Court under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107(a) — the court must hear the case within seven days of your application.
- If you substantially prevail against the City (a local government agency), the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107(d), unless the City's position was substantially justified.
- If the City refuses to comply with the court order, the court may hold the City in contempt under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107(c).
Types of Records You Can Request from Jonesboro, Arkansas
The Arkansas FOIA defines public records broadly to include virtually any document that reflects the performance or lack of performance of official functions. Here are common types of records you can request from the City of Jonesboro:
- City Council meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, and ordinances
- City budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
- Contracts, purchase orders, and vendor agreements
- Building permits, zoning applications, and inspection reports
- Police incident reports, arrest records, and use-of-force reports
- Fire department incident and inspection records
- City employee salary and compensation records
- Emails and correspondence of city officials related to official duties
- Code enforcement complaints and violation notices
- Public works project records and infrastructure assessments
- Planning and zoning commission records and land use decisions
- Business license applications and records
- Grant applications and awards received by the City
- Parks and recreation program records and facility use agreements
- City Water and Light utility records and rate schedules
If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of Jonesboro to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.
Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Jonesboro
Use the online portal
The City of Jonesboro uses JustFOIA to manage requests. Submitting through the online portal at jonesboroar.gov creates a trackable record and helps ensure your request is routed to the right department quickly.
Be specific
Describe exactly what records you want — include dates, names, departments, case numbers, and document types. Vague requests like 'all records about development' are harder to fulfill and may result in delays.
Confirm citizenship
Arkansas limits FOIA access to state citizens, and Jonesboro requires proof of residency before releasing records. Include a statement confirming you are an Arkansas resident to avoid unnecessary delays.
Request electronic copies
Ask for records in electronic format when possible. This can reduce reproduction costs to zero and speeds up delivery. The City cannot charge you for inspection or for electronic records that already exist in digital form.
Set a fee limit
Include a maximum dollar amount you're willing to pay without prior notice. This prevents surprise charges and gives the City a clear framework for cost communication before proceeding with copying.
Keep a paper trail
The JustFOIA portal automatically logs your request and the City's responses. If you submit by email, save all correspondence. A documented timeline is essential evidence if you ever need to escalate to court.
Follow up promptly
If three working days pass without a response, follow up through the portal or by phone at (870) 336-7164. Delays sometimes result from internal routing between departments, not intentional obstruction.
What Records Requests Can't Tell You
A public records request can reveal what the City of Jonesboro spent, who it hired, and what decisions it made — but it won't always explain why. In a fast-growing community where population has surged past 82,000 and major infrastructure investments are reshaping the city, understanding the context behind official records matters as much as the records themselves. Project Paper Trail helps you connect the dots between raw data and the stories that shape your community.
Project Paper Trail is an AI-powered platform that helps residents, journalists, and attorneys follow the paper trail on development approvals. We use public records, AI-driven document analysis, and relationship mapping to detect patterns of missing records, procedural shortcuts, and developer-government conflicts of interest. Every finding is sourced from public records. Every conclusion is traceable.
Across fast-growing communities, the development approval process routinely breaks down — and most residents never find out. Project Paper Trail uses AI-powered document analysis to find the gaps that individual requests can't.
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Records in Jonesboro, Arkansas
How long does the City of Jonesboro have to respond to a public records request?
Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(e), if records are in active use or storage, the City of Jonesboro must make them available within three (3) working days. Records that are immediately available must be provided on the spot during regular business hours. For complex requests, the City may need a reasonable additional period but must communicate this to you.
Do I have to be an Arkansas resident to request records from Jonesboro?
Yes. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act limits access to citizens of the State of Arkansas. The City of Jonesboro specifically requires proof of Arkansas residency before records can be released. Non-residents do not have a statutory right to request public records under the Arkansas FOIA.
What does it cost to get copies of public records from the City of Jonesboro?
The City of Jonesboro may charge only the actual costs of reproducing records, plus mailing expenses under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(d). Staff time and search fees are not permitted. If estimated costs exceed $25, the City may require prepayment. Inspecting records in person is always free, and fee waivers may be available for noncommercial requests that serve the public interest.
Where do I submit a FOIA request for Jonesboro Police Department records?
The Jonesboro Police Department handles its own records requests separately from other city departments. You can submit police records requests through the JustFOIA portal at jonesboroar.justfoia.com, in person at 1001 South Caraway Road, or by phone at (870) 935-5562. For all other city records, use the Communications Department's online FOIA portal at jonesboroar.gov.
What can I do if the City of Jonesboro denies my records request?
If your request is denied, you may appeal directly to the Craighead County Circuit Court under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107. There is no required administrative appeal process in Arkansas. The court must hear your case within seven days. If you substantially prevail, the court may award you reasonable attorney's fees unless the City's position was substantially justified.