Before submitting a Public Information Request, consider if submitting a Service Request would be the best way to get the assistance you need.
If you have questions or concerns with road and bridge issues, parks, trash pickup or have public nuisance questions then a Service Request may be a better way to get the information you need.
Contact Constituent Services for inquiries, requests, and other community-related concerns.
Submit your request online or call us at 346-286-2125
FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS
The Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis requests that all Public Information Requests are either emailed to this email address or mailed via USPS to:
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Public Information Request
7901 El Rio
Houston, Texas 77054
Below is sample language from the National Freedom of Information Coalition:
[Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Name of Custodian of Records]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [custodian of records]:
Under the Texas Public Information Act, Tex. Gov't Code §552.001 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that [Describe the records or information sought with enough detail for the public agency to respond. Be as specific as your knowledge of the available records will allow. But it is more important to describe the information you are seeking.]
If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me if the cost will exceed $______. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of ___________ [Here, you can identify yourself as a representative of the news media if applicable and state that your request is related to news gathering purposes.] This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
The Texas Public Information Act requires that you "promptly produce" the requested records unless, within 10 days, you have sought an Attorney General's Opinion. If you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone number]