Public Information Request

The City Secretary is the custodian of all records. Anyone wanting to request public information is asked to fill out an Application for Public Information and return the completed form to the City Secretary’s Office.

Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought.

The City of Manvel has established guidelines in accordance with the Public Information Act to ensure that all records in the possession of and pertaining to the operation of the governmental body are available to the public through a  centralized process. In accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, fees may be associated with this request. Should charges exceed $40.00, the City of Manvel will provide the requestor with a written itemized statement of estimated charges before any work is undertaken.

The City Secretary has the authority for releasing records in accordance with the Public Information Act, with the exception of the Municipal Court, and Police Department records.

Procedure to Obtain Information

Click on the "REQUEST INFORMATION" below to access the Public Information Request Form and email to tbell@cityofmanvel.com or deliver the form to the City of Manvel - 20025 Hwy 6 - Manvel Tx 77578

Image result for Public Information Request Clipart


What You Need to Know About Open Records Requests

(Information from the Office of the Attorney General website)


  1. Your request must be in writing. Only written requests trigger a governmental body’s obligations under the Public Information Act. 
  2. Your request should be for documents or other information that is already in existence. Governmental bodies are not required to answer questions, perform legal research, or comply with a continuing request to supply information on a periodic basis as such information is prepared in the future. 
  3. The AG’s office recommends that all requests be sent by U.S. mail and that a copy of the original request and proof of its receipt by the governmental body be kept. (Please note: The City of Manvel also accepts Open Records Request by email to tbell@cityofmanvel.com or in person at Manvel City Hall, 20025 Hwy 6, Manvel Tx 77578.)  
  4. If you believe that a governmental body has not responded as required by the Public Information Act, we recommend that you contact the Open Records Division Hotline at (512) 478-6736 or toll-free (877) 673-6839, your local District Attorney, or local County Attorney. 
  5. The Public Information Act allows governmental bodies to set a charge for providing copies of public information. 

What Requestors Can Expect After a Request is Made

  • The governmental body must "promptly" produce public information in response to your request. "Promptly" means that a governmental body may take a reasonable amount of time to produce the information, which varies depending on the facts in each case. The amount of information you have requested is highly relevant to what makes for a reasonable response time. (Please note: The City is required to acknowledge receipt of written requests for records within ten business days.)   
  • The Public Information Act prohibits the governmental body from asking you why you want the information you have requested. The governmental body may, however, ask you to clarify your request if they are uncertain as to what you want, and they may discuss with you how the scope of your request may be narrowed if you have requested a large amount of information.
  • If the governmental body wishes to withhold information from you, it must:     
    • Seek an attorney general decision within ten business days of its receipt of your request and state the exceptions to disclosure that it believes are applicable. The governmental body must also send you a copy of its letter to the attorney general requesting a decision within ten business days. If the governmental body does not notify you of its request for an attorney general decision, the information you requested is generally presumed to be open to the public.     
    • Within fifteen business days of receiving your request, the governmental body must send the attorney general its arguments for withholding the information you requested and copies of the information you have requested. You are entitled to receive this notice; however, if the letter to the attorney general contains the substance of the information requested, you may receive a redacted copy of the letter. If the governmental body does not send you a copy of this letter, you may request it from the attorney general by writing to:         
      • Reg Hargrove, Public Information Coordinator
                    Office of the Attorney General
                    P.O. Box 12548
                    Austin, Texas 78711-2548
                    FAX (512) 494-8017
  • If the governmental body does not timely request an attorney general decision, notify you that it is seeking an attorney general decision, and submit to the attorney general the information you requested, the information is presumed to be open to the public.
  • If an attorney general decision has been requested, you may submit your written comments to the attorney general stating any facts you want the Open Records Division to consider. You may send your comments to:    
    • Office of the Attorney General
                  Open Records Division
                  P.O. Box 12548
                  Austin, Texas 78711-2548 
 The Public Information Act expressly prohibits the attorney general from releasing the records.