Public Information Officer
Buncombe County responds to requests for public records in accordance with North Carolina law. We have dedicated Public Information Officers who handle all of these requests making sure that the right person is consulted for the information and that a response is made as timely as possible.
Please use this form to submit your request and provide as much detailed information as possible. This form helps us to clarify precisely what information is being requested. Although most information Buncombe County houses is public and subject to disclosure, some information is considered protected and is not considered public record. For example, we are obligated to protect such things as: sensitive public security information, components of personnel files, tax information, and Social Security numbers. Please be aware that the public records law does not require the County to do research, analyze data, or create a record that does not currently exist.
If you are a member of the media and would like to request an interview or information for a story, please use this form to tell us about your story, who you would like to interview, and any deadline details. Please allow us adequate time to review and facilitate this request.
Public Records Request - Fee Schedule
For public safety reasons, any blanket public record requests to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for Tier II chemical information may be denied pursuant to N.C.G.S. §132-1.7(b)
“Public records as defined in G.S. 132-1 do not include plans to prevent or respond to terrorist activity, to the extent such records set forth vulnerability and risk assessments, potential targets, specific tactics, or specific security or emergency procedures, the disclosure of which would jeopardize the safety of governmental personnel or the general public or the security of any governmental facility, building, structure, or information storage system.”
Procedures for Obtaining Tier I or Tier II Hazardous Chemical Information from the Buncombe County LEPC and by submitting a Buncombe County Public Information Request.
If N.C.G.S. §132-1.7 does not apply, EPCRA Tier II regulations will apply and “[a]ny such request shall be in writing and shall be with respect to a specific facility.” U.S.C. Title 42 Chapter 116 Section 11022(e)(3)(A)
If the public record request meets the threshold requirements under federal law, then the requester will be allowed to inspect Tier II information at a designated location specified by the State (NCEM EPCRA) or the LEPC.
Under EPCRA, accessibility to Tier II information is limited to the preceding calendar year with respect to a specific facility. 42 U.S.C. § 11022(e)(3)(A).