Ann Arbor Area Civic Document Repository

I filed a request for the master statements from City purchasing cards. Some information was redacted, and I appealed the redactions.

Included in this page are the official City response, a redacted dataset, then a reply to my appeal and the full dataset.

This is the request letter I sent:

Pursuant to the state open records act, I request copies of the master statements for city purchasing cards that cover charges from June 1, 2008 through the date of this request [Jan 15 2009]

I would prefer to receive these items in machine readable (digital) format, if available. I understand there may be a copying charge because of items that need to be redacted. You have my prior authorization to incur a charge of up to $25. Please email me or call me at 734 846 5010 if you need further information.

If my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act.

And the appeal, sent Jan. 21 2009 to the City Administrator:

Dear Mr. Fraser,

This is an appeal of the partial denial of the FOIA request 09-024, submitted 15 Jan. 2009 and filled 20 Jan 2009.

I requested copies of the master statements for city purchasing cards that covering charges from June 1, 2008 through Jan. 15, 2009. The response, included as a PDF below, states that "card holder names have been redacted for privacy and security reasons".

MCL 15.243(1)(a) states an exception for: "Information of a personal nature if public disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy."

Purchasing cards are used to make official purchases for the City of Ann Arbor. There should be no invasion of individual privacy involved in releasing names associated with purchasing card statements. If there were, the accounting of over $100,000 should warrant identified purchasing card statements.

This is not an appeal of the redaction of account numbers.

The appeal request was granted and the full dataset sent Jan. 30 2009.