How to File a Public Records Request in Wentzville, Missouri

What Is the Missouri Sunshine Law?

The Missouri Sunshine Law is the common name for Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 610.010–610.035). Enacted in 1973, it guarantees every member of the public — regardless of residency or stated purpose — the right to inspect and obtain copies of records, votes, actions, and deliberations of any public governmental body in Missouri. Requesters are not required to explain why they want records.

A 'public record' under Missouri law is defined broadly to include any written or electronically stored record retained by a governmental body, including reports, surveys, memoranda, emails, contracts, meeting minutes, permits, and studies prepared by consultants paid with public funds. Private contractors maintaining records on behalf of a governmental body are also covered.

Common exemptions under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.021 include: attorney-client privileged communications and active litigation strategy; personnel and employee disciplinary records; real estate transactions before closing; sealed bids; active law enforcement investigative files; and individually identifiable personal health records. Critically, the law must be construed liberally in favor of openness, and exemptions must be construed strictly. The burden rests entirely on the government body — not the requester — to justify withholding any record.

Read the full text of the Missouri Sunshine Law (Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 610 (§§ 610.010–610.035))

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Wentzville

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Wentzville does not require a specific form to make a public records request under the Missouri Sunshine Law — any written request identifying the records you seek is sufficient. However, the City provides an official Records Request Form that makes the process straightforward and is available as a downloadable PDF on the City Clerk's website. The easiest method is to email your completed form or written request directly to Kathryn.Bowman@wentzvillemo.gov. You may also mail or deliver your request in person to the City Clerk's Office at 1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385, or submit by fax. Whether you use the form or write your own letter, be as specific as possible about the records you are seeking to help staff locate them efficiently and minimize any potential search fees.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name, mailing address, and email address
• A specific description of the records requested (type, subject, date range)
• Whether you want to inspect records in person or receive copies
• Your preferred format for receiving records (paper, electronic)
• Whether you are requesting a fee waiver and the public-interest basis for that waiver
• A statement that the request is made under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610, RSMo
• Your phone number in case the City Clerk needs to clarify your request

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.023, the City of Wentzville's records custodian must act on your request no later than the end of the third business day after it is received. The day of receipt does not count as one of the three business days.

A 'response' under the Sunshine Law does not necessarily mean the City will deliver the records within three business days — it means the City must acknowledge your request and either provide access, provide copies, deny the request in writing with a statutory justification, or notify you that additional time is needed and provide the earliest specific calendar date by which it expects to respond. Failure to provide that specific date when claiming an extension is itself a violation of the law, per the Missouri Supreme Court's 2021 ruling in Gross v. Parson.

If the City denies your request — in whole or in part — it must do so in writing, citing the specific statutory provision authorizing the denial. Where only part of a record is exempt, the City must separate and release the non-exempt portions.

Regarding fees, the City of Wentzville charges $0.10 per page for paper copies, plus applicable sales tax. Electronic records provided on a jump drive are charged at the cost of the jump drive plus sales tax. The City may also charge reasonable research fees for staff time required to locate and copy records, based on actual cost incurred. Attorney review time is not a permissible charge under Missouri law. If you believe your request serves the public interest, you may request a fee waiver.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Receiving a denial or no response at all from a public body can be frustrating, but Missouri law gives you meaningful tools to push back.

The most common reasons the City of Wentzville might deny or partially deny a request include: the records fall within an enumerated exemption under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.021 (such as active law enforcement investigations, personnel matters, or attorney-client communications); the records don't exist; or — less legitimately — administrative delays. A denial must always be made in writing and cite the specific statute authorizing the withholding.

If the City fails to respond within three business days, that silence can itself constitute a violation of the Sunshine Law. If records are improperly withheld or the response is unreasonably delayed, you have several escalation options.

Start by contacting the City Clerk's Office directly to confirm receipt and request a status update. If that doesn't resolve the issue, file a formal complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office, which is authorized under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.027 to investigate and pursue enforcement against non-compliant governmental bodies. You can also contact the county prosecuting attorney.

As a last resort, any aggrieved person, Missouri taxpayer, or citizen may file a civil action in circuit court. If the court finds a knowing violation, it must impose fines up to $1,000 and may award costs and attorney fees. For purposeful violations, fines of up to $5,000 are mandatory, and the court shall award costs and attorney fees. This fee-shifting mechanism provides a meaningful incentive for agencies to comply.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the Wentzville City Clerk's Office by phone at (636) 327-5101 or email at Kathryn.Bowman@wentzvillemo.gov to confirm receipt of your request and request a status update.
2. If the denial was in writing, review the statutory citation provided. Research whether that exemption applies to the records you requested — exemptions under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.021 must be construed strictly.
3. Submit a written appeal or follow-up letter to the City Clerk specifically challenging the cited exemption and requesting that non-exempt portions of the record be segregated and released, as required by Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.024.
4. File a formal complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office at ago.mo.gov. The AG is authorized to investigate Sunshine Law violations and pursue enforcement on your behalf under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.027.
5. Contact the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which also has the authority to bring enforcement actions under the Sunshine Law.
6. File a civil action in the St. Charles County Circuit Court (the county where the City of Wentzville has its principal place of business) to compel disclosure under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.027. Lawsuits must be filed within one year of when the violation was ascertainable and no later than two years after the violation.
7. If the court finds the violation was knowing, it must impose fines up to $1,000 and may award costs and attorney fees. For purposeful violations, fines up to $5,000 are mandatory and the court shall order costs and attorney fees paid to you.

Types of Records You Can Request from Wentzville, Missouri

The Missouri Sunshine Law covers virtually any record created or maintained by the City of Wentzville in the course of its governmental functions. Here are common record types that residents frequently request from municipal governments like Wentzville.

• Board of Aldermen meeting minutes, agendas, and voting records
• City budget documents, appropriations, and annual financial reports
• Building permits, inspection reports, and code enforcement records
• City contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement documents
• Planning and zoning applications, variances, and commission decisions
• Police incident reports and arrest records (open portions)
• City ordinances and municipal code amendments
• Engineering and infrastructure project records
• Public works contracts and road maintenance records
• City employee salary and compensation records
• Economic development incentive agreements and tax abatement records
• City administrator correspondence and official communications
• Stormwater and environmental compliance reports
• Wastewater and water utility service records
• Campaign finance and ethics disclosure filings

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

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Wentzville