How to File a Public Records Request in Milford Township, Michigan

What Is the Michigan Freedom of Information Act?

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Public Act 442 of 1976, codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., guarantees every person — except those incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities — the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government bodies throughout Michigan. You are not required to explain why you want the records, and you may use the information for any purpose.

A “public record” is broadly defined to include any writing, computer data, photograph, film, or other physical medium prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Practical examples include building permits, township board meeting minutes, contracts with vendors, staff emails related to official business, planning commission decisions, and financial reports.

Key exemptions under MCL § 15.243 include personal privacy records, trade secrets, certain law enforcement investigation files, attorney-client privileged communications, and records exempt by other statutes. The burden of proving that an exemption applies rests entirely on the public body, not on the requester.

Read the full text of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) §§ 15.231–15.246 (Public Act 442 of 1976))

How to File a Public Records Request with the Charter Township of Milford

How to Submit Your Request

Milford Township accepts FOIA requests by email, fax, mail, or in person at Township Hall. The preferred method for most requesters is email, which creates an automatic written record of your submission. Address your request to the FOIA Coordinator, Natalie Scime, at [email protected]. You may also mail or deliver your request to 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford, MI 48381. Note that under MCL § 15.235, a written request submitted by electronic mail is not deemed received until one business day after the transmission — so factor that into your timeline. No specific form is required, but your written request must include your contact information and a specific description of the records you are seeking. The township's FOIA page also links to published FOIA procedures and forms for your reference.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and mailing address
• A phone number and email address where the Township can reach you
• The date of the request
• A detailed and specific description of the records you are requesting (include relevant dates, subjects, and keywords)
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copy)
• A statement of the maximum fee you are willing to pay, or a request for a fee estimate before processing begins
• The word 'FOIA' or 'Freedom of Information' in the subject line of your email or on the envelope if mailing

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under MCL § 15.235, the Charter Township of Milford must respond to your written FOIA request within 5 business days of receiving it. If you submit by email, the clock does not start until one business day after the electronic transmission — so build that into your expectations. A “response” means the township must, in writing, either grant the request, deny it (in whole or in part), or issue a notice of extension.

If the township needs additional time, it may extend the response period by up to 10 additional business days by notifying you in writing of the reason and the new due date. A public body may only issue one such extension per request. This means the maximum statutory timeline before a response is due is 15 business days (plus the one-day email receipt delay, if applicable).

If the township fails to respond within the statutory deadline, that silence constitutes a final denial under MCL § 15.235(3), and you may immediately proceed to appeal or seek judicial review.

Fees may be charged for labor, duplication, and mailing costs under MCL § 15.234. The township must itemize all fees. If fees apply, you should receive an itemized estimate before production begins. Persons who are indigent may request a waiver of the first $20.00 of fees by submitting a supporting affidavit. If the public body fails to respond on time, it must reduce any fee it does charge by 50% if your request clearly identified itself as a FOIA request.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Receiving a denial — or hearing nothing at all — is not the end of the road. Michigan FOIA gives you clear and powerful options to challenge non-disclosure.

Denials must be in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption under MCL § 15.243 that the township claims applies. Common reasons for denial include personal privacy exemptions, law enforcement investigation records, attorney-client communications, and records claimed to be exempt by other statutes. Partial denials are also permitted, meaning the township may release portions of a document while redacting exempt content.

If you believe a denial is wrong — or if the township simply failed to respond in time — your first step is to file a written appeal. Under MCL § 15.240, the appeal must be submitted to the head of the public body (the Township Supervisor or Township Board), must specifically include the word ‘appeal,’ and must explain why the denial should be reversed. The head of the public body must respond within 10 business days. A board or commission does not begin counting that 10-day period until its first regularly scheduled meeting after the appeal is received.

If the internal appeal is denied or unanswered, you may file a civil action in Oakland County Circuit Court within 180 days of the final denial. Courts review the township’s decision de novo — meaning fresh, without deference to the township’s reasoning. If you prevail, the court may award attorney fees, costs, and disbursements, as well as actual or compensatory damages. If the court finds the township willfully and intentionally violated FOIA, it may also impose punitive damages of up to $1,000 under MCL § 15.240.

Don’t overlook excessive fees as a separate ground for appeal: you may challenge an unreasonable fee by written appeal to the Township within 45 days of receiving the fee notice.

Steps to Appeal

1. Review the written denial and identify which statutory exemption under MCL § 15.243 the township cited, or note if no reason was given (which itself may be a violation).
2. Contact the FOIA Coordinator (Natalie Scime, [email protected]) informally to clarify whether a misunderstanding exists or whether a narrower request would be granted.
3. File a formal written appeal to the head of the public body (Township Supervisor or Township Board) at 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford, MI 48381. The appeal must include the word 'appeal,' identify the reasons for reversal, and be submitted within 180 days of the denial under MCL § 15.240.
4. Wait up to 10 business days for the head of the public body to respond (note: a board is not deemed to have received the appeal until its next regularly scheduled meeting after submission).
5. If the appeal is denied or ignored, file a civil action in Oakland County Circuit Court within 180 days of the final determination. Actions against state agencies go to the Court of Claims.
6. If you prevail in court and records were wrongfully withheld, seek an award of attorney fees, costs, and actual damages under MCL § 15.240. Courts may also award punitive damages of up to $1,000 for willful, bad-faith violations.
7. For fee disputes specifically, file a written fee appeal to the township within 45 days of receiving the fee notice; if unresolved, seek judicial review in circuit court under MCL § 15.240a.

Types of Records You Can Request from Milford Township, Michigan

The Charter Township of Milford generates and maintains a broad range of public records as part of its day-to-day operations. Below is a representative list of record types commonly available through a FOIA request.

• Township Board meeting minutes, agendas, and packets
• Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals decisions and meeting records
• Building permits, inspection reports, and code enforcement files
• Contracts and vendor agreements entered into by the township
• Township budget documents, audit reports, and financial statements
• Payroll records and salary information for township employees
• Police incident reports and call logs (non-exempt portions)
• Cemetery records and burial information maintained by the Township Clerk
• Ordinances, resolutions, and adopted policies of the Township Board
• Parks and Recreation Commission records and event permits
• Solicitor's permits and business license records
• Environmental and land use studies related to township planning
• Grant applications and awards received by the township
• Correspondence and emails of township officials relating to official business
• Bids, requests for proposal (RFPs), and bid award documents

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the Charter Township of Milford to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Milford Township