Open Records Request

About the Texas Public Information Act

Per Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, the Texas Public Information Act (the “Act”) requires governmental agencies to make documents and information available to the public by either copying or inspection, that is held by or for a governmental body if it owns or has a right of access to the information, except for information that the Act exempts or prohibits from disclosure.

Per the Act, the City has ten (10) business days to do one of the following:

• Respond to the request;
• Let the requester know when we can respond to the request;
• Request clarification from a requester; or
• Send a request for a ruling to withhold from the Attorney General’s Office. 

City Holidays and weekends are not included in the ten days and we cannot expedite requests

The City of Schertz puts a large amount of information on our website for the public to access without having to do an open records request. The City is not obligated to release records that are readily available on our website. We also do not answer questions posed in an open records request. The Act only allows the public to request documents that exist at the time of their request. The City of Schertz does not handle Vital Statistic Records (i.e. marriage, birth, and death certificates) and you will need to contact the County Clerk or the State of Texas for those records.

Confidential Information

Please be advised that confidential information is often included in documents held by the City of Schertz. Some of this confidential information the City can automatically redact or withhold such as social security numbers, dates of birth, driver's license information, vehicle license plate numbers, and registration information, e-mail addresses, certain confidential employee information, as well as utility account information.

For all other confidential information, the Act requires the City to request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General’s Office in order to withhold it. If we request such ruling, you will receive correspondence from us letting you know why we are requesting a ruling from the Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office has 45 days to respond to a request for a ruling to withhold documents or information.

For general questions on making public information requests or for special accommodations pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact the City Secretary at (210) 619-1030 or 1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 2, Schertz, TX 78154.