City of Naples postpones public records changes after First Amendment Foundation complaint

From Naples Daily News:

NAPLES — The city of Naples could be in violation of Florida Sunshine Laws if officials press ahead with changes to public records policies.

Florida's First Amendment Foundation warned Naples officials in a letter Monday that a hike in fees would discourage the public from making public records requests. That message from the foundation's president made staff postpone a vote slated for today's council meeting to give themselves time to vet the claims.

"We try to respond before a government entity does something that gets them in trouble under the Sunshine Laws," foundation President Barbara Petersen said. "That's the point of these letters."

Petersen said she learned the discussion was coming up at Naples city council when she got a tip from a concerned resident.

First Amendment Foundation is a member of NFOIC.–eds.