How to File a Public Records Request in Scio Township, Michigan

What Is the Michigan Freedom of Information Act?

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted as Public Act 442 of 1976 and codified at MCL §§ 15.231–15.246, guarantees all persons the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by government bodies in Michigan. The law applies to state agencies, counties, cities, townships, school districts, and other public bodies at every level of government.

A "public record" under Michigan FOIA is broadly defined as any writing prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. This includes meeting minutes, board agendas, zoning applications, building permits, contracts, budgets, emails and other correspondence, maps, and policies — essentially any document created or received by the township in carrying out its duties.

The law contains exemptions for categories such as personal privacy, active law enforcement investigations, attorney-client privileged communications, trade secrets, and records specifically protected by other statutes. However, the burden of proof rests entirely on the public body to justify any decision to withhold records — not on the requester to prove why they deserve access. Any person, regardless of residency, may file a request; no justification is required.

Read the full text of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) §§ 15.231–15.246 (Public Act 442 of 1976))

How to File a Public Records Request with the Township of Scio

How to Submit Your Request

Scio Township accepts FOIA requests in multiple formats. To inspect records, requests may be made verbally or in writing by visiting Township Hall during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), or by calling (734) 369-9400 to schedule an appointment. If you need copies of documents, your request must be submitted in writing — by email to clerk@sciotownshipmi.gov, by mail to 827 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or by fax to (734) 665-0825. The Township provides a FOIA Request form on its website for convenience, but any written request containing the same information — including a plain email — is fully acceptable. Include "FOIA" in the subject line of any email or on the envelope of any mailed request to ensure it is routed promptly to the FOIA coordinator.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and mailing address
• A phone number or email address for follow-up contact
• A clear and specific description of the records you are requesting
• The approximate date range or time period covered by the records
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic PDF, paper copies, inspection)
• A fee threshold at which you want to be contacted before the Township proceeds (e.g., 'please notify me if fees will exceed $25')
• The word 'FOIA' in the subject line of any email or on the front of any mailed envelope

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under MCL § 15.235(2), Scio Township must respond to a FOIA request within 5 business days of receiving it. "Business days" means Monday through Friday, excluding state-recognized legal holidays — it is not limited to days the Township offices happen to be open. If your request is submitted by email or other electronic transmission, it is not considered received until 1 business day after it is sent, per MCL § 15.235(1).

A "response" within 5 business days can mean one of four things: (1) granting the request in full; (2) issuing a written denial; (3) granting the request in part and denying it in part with a written explanation; or (4) issuing a written notice of extension. The Township may extend the deadline by up to 10 additional business days — but only once per request — by notifying you in writing of the reason and the new due date (MCL § 15.235(2)(d)). If the Township fails to respond at all within the deadline, it constitutes a final determination to deny the request under MCL § 15.235(3), which triggers your right to appeal.

Fees are governed by MCL § 15.234 and limited to actual duplication and mailing costs plus labor at the rate of the Township's lowest-paid capable employee. If an estimated fee exceeds $50, the Township may request a good-faith deposit of up to 50% before proceeding. If the Township is late in responding, any fee charged must be reduced by 5% for each day the response is overdue, up to a maximum 50% reduction.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Receiving a denial — or no response at all — does not mean your right to access has ended. Michigan FOIA provides a clear multi-step process for challenging denials, and the burden remains on the Township, not you, to justify withholding.

Common reasons Scio Township might deny or partially deny a request include: personal privacy exemptions for identifying information about private individuals; attorney-client privileged communications; records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations; personnel records protected by MCL § 15.243; and deliberative or advisory communications preliminary to a final policy decision. When a denial is issued, the Township is required by MCL § 15.235(4) to provide a written notice identifying the specific exemption and explaining its application to the withheld records.

If you believe a denial was improper — or if the Township simply failed to respond within the statutory deadline — you have meaningful options. Start by contacting the FOIA coordinator directly to clarify whether there was a procedural misunderstanding or whether additional description of the records might help. If that fails, you can file a formal written appeal to the head of the public body (the Township Board) and, if necessary, pursue the matter in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

If the denial was for excessive fees rather than a substantive exemption, you may separately appeal the fee within 45 days under MCL § 15.240a. If a court finds the fee was arbitrarily and capriciously excessive, it may impose a $500 civil fine on the Township.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the FOIA Coordinator: Reach Jessica Flintoft at clerk@sciotownshipmi.gov or (734) 369-9400 to ask for clarification on the denial basis or to supplement your request description.
2. Review the written denial: Check that it identifies a specific statutory exemption under MCL § 15.243 and explains how it applies. A vague or incomplete denial notice may itself be legally defective.
3. File a written appeal to the Scio Township Board: Under MCL § 15.240(1)(a), submit a written appeal to the head of the public body within 180 days of the final denial. The appeal must use the word 'appeal' and state the reasons the denial should be reversed. The Township Board has 10 business days to respond.
4. Appeal excessive fees separately: If your complaint is about the fee rather than a substantive denial, submit a written fee appeal under MCL § 15.240a within 45 days of receiving the fee notice. The Board must respond within 10 business days.
5. File a civil action in Washtenaw County Circuit Court: If the appeal is denied or unanswered, you may commence a civil action to compel disclosure within 180 days of the final determination under MCL § 15.240(1)(b). The court reviews the matter de novo, and the burden is on the Township to sustain its denial.
6. Seek attorney fees if you prevail: Under MCL § 15.240(6), if you prevail in court, the court shall award you reasonable attorney fees, costs, and disbursements — this is a mandatory directive. If you only partially prevail, the court may award a proportionate share at its discretion.
7. Consult the Michigan Attorney General's FOIA Handbook: The AG's office publishes a detailed handbook at michigan.gov/ag that explains exemptions, procedures, and legal standards. While the AG does not resolve individual disputes, the handbook is a valuable reference for understanding your rights.

Types of Records You Can Request from Scio Township, Michigan

Scio Township generates a wide variety of public records in the course of its operations, covering everything from land use and zoning decisions to financial management and public utilities. The following are common record types that residents, journalists, researchers, and businesses frequently request.

• Township Board meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions
• Zoning applications, variances, and special use permits
• Building permits, inspection reports, and certificates of occupancy
• Planning Commission meeting records and site plan approvals
• Township budgets, financial statements, and audit reports
• Contracts and agreements with vendors, contractors, and consultants
• Township ordinances and local regulations
• Property tax and assessment records
• Utility billing records and infrastructure maintenance reports
• Environmental compliance records and groundwater monitoring reports
• Employee salary and compensation information
• Correspondence (emails, letters, memos) between Township officials on public matters
• Election records and campaign finance filings
• Township-owned property records and deed documents
• Grant applications and awards received by the Township

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the Township of Scio to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Scio Township