Virginia Freedom of Information Act Information

The Fluvanna County Administration Department is the custodian of records for the following County Departments: 

• Administration
• Board of Supervisors
• Community Development, which includes Planning, Zoning, and Building Inspections
• Children's Services Act (CSA)
• Economic Development
• Emergency Management
• Emergency Services
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• James River Water Authority (JRWA)
• Parks and Recreation
• Public Utilities
• Public Works
• Office of the Registrar

Requests for records in other County Departments or Agencies may be directed as follows:

The Rights of Requesters and the Responsibilities of Fluvanna County under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act

To request records from the County of Fluvanna Administration Department, or if you are uncertain from whom you should request records, please contact Dan Whitten, County Attorney.

Mr. Whitten may be reached:

Phone: (434) 591-1910
Online: Records Request form
Email: to Dan Whitten
Fax: 434-591-1911
U.S. Mail: FOIA Request, Attn: County Attorney, PO Box 540, Palmyra, VA 22963
In Person: 132 Main Street, Palmyra, VA 22963, County Administration Office, 3rd Floor of the County Administration Building

You may contact a FOIA Officer with questions you have concerning requesting records from Fluvanna County. In addition, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council is available to answer any questions you may have about FOIA.  The Council may be contacted by e-mail at foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov, or by phone at (804) 225-3056 or [toll free] 1-866-448-4100.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees.

A public record is any writing or recording - regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format - that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business.  All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies.

The policy of FOIA states that the purpose of FOIA is to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities.  In furthering this policy, FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.

FOIA Policy (approved October 19, 2016, revised September 2023)

2023 Freedom of Information Act (statute)