The City of Pearland promotes an open and responsive government. The City Secretary’s Office provides information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. The Texas Public Information Act (the “Public Information Act” or the “Act”) gives the public the right to request access to government information.

SEARCH PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Commonly requested documents, such as agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and election information, can be found on the Online Records Portal. 

MAKING A REQUEST

The Act is triggered when a person submits a written request to a governmental body through the designated process. The request must ask for records or information already in existence. The City is not required to answer questions, create new records, or compile data. If your request is unclear, the City may ask for more details to ensure the right records are provided.

If the information cannot be produced for inspection or duplication within 10 business days after the request is made, the City will certify in writing a reasonable time when the information will be made available. 

To request public records, you must submit a written request that includes:

1. A clear description of the records you need
2. Your contact information (mailing address, phone number, or email)

The City has partnered with JustFOIA an online portal, which is an information request software designed to streamline, manage, and track public information requests. Now, you can submit requests by creating an account, track the status, make payments, and receive records all in one central location.   

In accordance with Texas Government Code §552.234, you may also use the following:

• Electronically: Public Information Request Form

• In Person:
  City of Pearland
  City Secretary's Office
  3519 Liberty Drive
  Pearland, Texas 77581

• By Mail:
  City of Pearland
  City Secretary's Office
  3519 Liberty Drive
  Pearland, Texas 77581

• By Email:   PublicInfoRequest@pearlandtx.gov

CHARGES FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS

If a request is only for an opportunity to inspect information, then usually the City may not impose a charge on the requestor. However, under certain limited circumstances, the City may impose a charge for access to information. All charges imposed by a governmental body for copies or for access to information must comply with the rules prescribed by the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”), unless another statute authorizes a governmental body to set its own charges.

The table below lists the most common charges for public information and is not an exhaustive list. 

Click here for a complete list of charges

Questions concerning charges or expected charges for public information should be addressed to the City Secretary's Office.

PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

The Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives everyone the right to access government records without needing to provide a reason. The City Secretary is the designated officer to handle open records requests.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE ACT

Although the Act makes most government information available to the public, some exceptions exist. If an exception might apply and the City wishes to withhold the information, the City generally must, within ten business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the OAG for a ruling on whether an exception applies. If the OAG rules that an exception applies, the City will not release the information. If the City improperly fails to release information, the Act authorizes the requestor or the OAG to file a civil lawsuit to compel the governmental body to release the information.

HELPFUL LINKS

Texas Attorney General Website

Public Information Act Handbook

Public Information Act Poster

Texas State Library and Archives Commission