How to File a Public Records Request in Verona, Wisconsin

What Is the Wisconsin Open Records Law?

The Wisconsin Open Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, guarantees that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them. This is one of the strongest statutory presumptions of public access in the country. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), any requester has a right to inspect and receive copies of any public record not specifically exempted.

A "record" is broadly defined as any document, regardless of physical form, that has been created or kept by a government authority. Examples include city council meeting minutes, building permits, city contracts, budgets, zoning applications, emails, police incident reports, and personnel rosters.

Key exemptions include records of confidential law enforcement informants, active investigative records where disclosure would harm the public interest, trade secrets, attorney-client privileged communications, and certain personal information about public employees. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency must release the non-exempt portions after redaction.

The burden of justifying any withholding rests entirely on the City — not on you. An agency may deny access only by citing a specific statutory or common-law exemption, or by demonstrating through a balancing test that the public interest in confidentiality outweighs the presumption of openness.

Read the full text of the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31–19.39)

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

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Verona accepts open records requests in several ways. The most convenient option is the online Open Records Request form at the City's website, which routes your request directly to the City Clerk. You may also email the City Clerk directly at hlicht@veronawi.gov, submit a request by mail to City Hall at 111 Lincoln St., Verona, WI 53593, or appear in person during business hours. While no specific form is required by Wisconsin law, using the city's online form helps ensure your request reaches the right office quickly. Written requests are strongly recommended — they create a clear record and ensure you receive a written response. The Wisconsin Open Records Law does not require you to state a reason for your request or identify yourself.

What to Include in Your Request

• A clear description of the specific records you are seeking, including relevant subject matter, dates, and involved parties
• The format in which you prefer to receive records (electronic PDF, paper copies, etc.)
• Your preferred method of delivery (email, mail, or in-person pickup)
• Your name and contact information (email or mailing address) so the city can reach you
• A fee threshold if you want to be notified before costs are incurred (e.g., 'Please notify me if fees will exceed $10')
• A citation to the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) to signal you are making a formal legal request

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Wisconsin is unusual among states in that its Open Records Law does not set a specific numeric deadline for responding to records requests. Instead, Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a) requires every authority to respond 'as soon as practicable and without delay.' Courts have determined that what constitutes a reasonable response time depends on the nature of the request, available staff, and the volume of records involved. For simple, straightforward requests, this is generally interpreted to mean within 10 business days.

The City of Verona Police Department publishes a goal of fulfilling records requests within 10 business days whenever possible — a benchmark that reflects reasonable expectations for most city departments as well.

A 'response' under the law means either providing the records or issuing a written denial with specific legal reasons. Unreasonable delay can itself be treated as a constructive denial, giving you grounds to pursue enforcement.

Regarding fees: the City may charge only for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3). Permissible charges cover copying, transcription, mailing, and record location costs when they exceed $50. Prepayment may be required when the total exceeds $5.00. Agencies may not charge for the time spent redacting records, and no agency may profit from a public records request.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City of Verona denies your written request — in whole or in part — it must provide a written statement citing the specific statutory or common-law basis for withholding under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(b). That denial must also notify you of your right to seek review by mandamus under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1), or by application to the Attorney General or the local district attorney.

Common grounds for denial include records subject to ongoing law enforcement investigations, attorney-client privileged communications, personnel disciplinary records, personally identifiable information of employees, and records sealed by court order. If only part of a record is exempt, the city must release the rest after redaction.

If you believe a denial is improper — or if the city simply fails to respond in a reasonable time — you have several escalation paths:

Unreasonable delay without communication is a red flag. Remind the City Clerk in writing of the statutory duty to respond 'as soon as practicable and without delay' under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a) and set a reasonable deadline for the response.

If you prevail in a mandamus action — in whole or in substantial part — the court is required to award reasonable attorney fees and minimum damages of $100 under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(4). Arbitrary or capricious denials, or the charging of excessive fees, may result in a forfeiture of up to $1,000 under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(3). These are meaningful enforcement tools, and requesters do prevail.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the City Clerk by email or in writing to request reconsideration, explaining why you believe the denial or delay is improper and citing the relevant statute.
2. Contact the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office of Open Government (OOG) for an informal advisory opinion or guidance at (608) 267-2220 or opengov@widoj.gov. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.39, the AG is authorized to advise on the applicability of the Open Records Law; agencies generally comply with AG guidance.
3. Submit a written complaint to the Dane County District Attorney, asking the DA to bring a mandamus action on your behalf under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1)(b).
4. Submit a written request to the Wisconsin Attorney General to file a mandamus action under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1)(b) if the matter raises issues of broader public concern.
5. File your own mandamus action in Dane County Circuit Court under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1)(a), asking the court to order release of the records. You have three years from the date of denial to commence this action under Wis. Stat. § 893.93(1m).
6. If you prevail in whole or in substantial part in circuit court, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees and minimum damages of $100 under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(4)(a).
7. If the denial was arbitrary and capricious, the district attorney or attorney general may separately seek a forfeiture penalty of up to $1,000 against the custodian under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(3).

Types of Records You Can Request from Verona, Wisconsin

The City of Verona maintains records across all of its departments — from planning and public works to police and finance. The following are commonly requested types of municipal records available under the Wisconsin Open Records Law.

• City Common Council meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions
• City budgets, financial audits, and expenditure reports
• Building permits, zoning applications, and inspection reports
• City contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement records
• Planning Commission records and land use decisions
• Police incident reports and arrest records (subject to applicable exemptions)
• Traffic accident reports (DT4000 Motor Vehicle Crash Forms)
• City employee salary and compensation data
• Code enforcement complaints and violation notices
• City communications (emails and correspondence) related to official business
• Environmental permits, stormwater management plans, and utility records
• Annexation petitions and development agreements
• Tax increment financing (TIF) district plans and reports
• Municipal court case records and citation data
• Economic development incentive agreements and correspondence

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

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Verona