Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request Center

It is the policy of Tioga County government that the public should generally have free and easy access to county government records except as restricted by Federal or State law or to support individual personal privacy. The County's records management and FOIL process is governed by NYS Public Officers Law, Article 6 and the County follows the New York State LGS-1 Schedule for managing document retention and disposition.

This FOIL request center is designed to help you:

  • Find frequently requested information
  • Understand how to make a FOIL request and any costs
  • Know the appeals process for denied requests

 

Records Access Officers
Kevin Humes (All Except Sheriff's Records)
FOIL Officer 
56 Main Street, Owego, NY 13827
607.687.8253

foil@tiogacountyny.gov

 - AND -

Lt. Adam Bessey (Sheriff's Records)
Tioga County Sheriff's Office
103 Corporate Drive, Owego, NY 13827
607.687.1010

besseya@tiogacountyny.gov - Online form exclusively for Sheriff Records:

http://www.tiogacountysheriff.com/foil

 

  Frequently Requested Documents

The Tioga County website has a comprehensive Document Library tool that collects all documents uploaded by all departments and allows filtering by type as well as searching by title\name. For convenience, we have grouped several of the most commonly requested documents below (click to open each section):

2024 County Budget
PDF, 806 KB

2023 County Budget
PDF, 5002 KB

2022 County Budget
PDF, 768 KB

2021 County Budget
PDF, 1919 KB

2020 County Budget
PDF, 4806 KB

2019 County Budget
PDF, 5502 KB

2018 County Budget
PDF, 5093 KB

2017 County Budget
PDF, 1056 KB

2016 County Budget
PDF, 937 KB

2015 County Budget
PDF, 445 KB

2014 County Budget
PDF, 426 KB

2013 County Budget
PDF, 240 KB

2012 County Budget
PDF, 284 KB

2011 County Budget
PDF, 1347 KB

2010 County Budget
PDF, 573 KB

2009 County Budget
PDF, 764 KB

2008 County Budget
PDF, 840 KB

2007 County Budget
PDF, 583 KB

2006 County Budget
PDF, 898 KB

2005 County Budget
PDF, 1344 KB

2004 County Budget
PDF, 1687 KB

NOTE: The CSEA contract was extended by 1 year per mutual agreement and covers the 2021 period. All other expired contracts remain under negotiation.

None currently active.

NOTE: All documents uploaded to all areas of Tioga County's website can be searched via the Document Library. In the library, you may filter by document type or conduct a text search.

Agendas and Minutes: Multiple departments across the County have public meetings with agendas and minutes, which are searchable via the Document Library. These meetings are typically Legislative committees and as such, a consolidated list of the committees and their agendas can be found on the Legislature's page. The most commonly searched for agendas are for the Legislature and the Industrial Development Agency

Local Laws: A tool to search all of Tioga County's local laws is available through this link

Lobbying Of Tioga County

No department of Tioga County is actively lobbied by entities. Please note: given Tioga County's relative size, it is unusual for Tioga County's departments to be lobbied.

Most recent department survey: December 2020

 

Lobbying For Tioga County

Tioga County does not currently directly hire lobbyists for its causes. Per county survey, Tioga County is a member of the following trade organizations that perform lobbying generally in the county's interest:

New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC)
540 Broadway 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12207

Website: http://www.nysac.org

Cost: $6,500 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying in New York State government for policies and reforms of interest to County governments statewide.

New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO)
One United Way, Pine West Plaza
Albany, NY 12205

Website: http://www.nysacho.org

Cost: $1720 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying in New York State government for policies and reforms relevant to health department organizations statewide.


American Planning Association
1030 15th St NW, Suite 750 West
Washington, DC 20005

Website: http://www.planning.org

Cost: $305 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying of the US Federal government and state governments for policies and legislation related to the work of planning professionals and planning departments at all levels of government.

New York State Association of Conservation Districts (NYSACD)
415 W. Morris St.
Bath, NY 13810

Website: http://www.nyacd.org

Cost: $1500 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying in New York State government for policies and reforms relevant to soil and water conservation organizations statewide.

National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
509 Capitol Court NE
Washington, DC 20002

Website: https://www.nacdnet.org

Cost: $750 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying of the US Federal government for policies and legislation related to the work of soil and water conservation districts at all levels of government.

 

New York State County Highway Superintendent's Association
136 Everett Road
Albany, NY 12205

Website: https://www.countyhwys.org

Cost: $300 annual dues

Lobbying Activities: General lobbying of the New York State government for policies and legislation related to the work of local highway superintendents. 

 

No other departments reported being a member of an organization that conducts lobbying on behalf of the County. 

Most recent department survey: December 2020

 

 

Making a FOIL Request
  • Online: Use this online form to submit requests electronically.
  • By MailUse this form, and send to the Records Access Officer listed above.
  • In Person: Print and fill out this form, and come to location of the Records Access Officer during regular business hours (9am - 5pm, M-F, excluding holidays)

RESPONSE TIMES: FOIL requests are given an initial response in no more than five (5) business days. If more time is required to comply with the request, the initial response will include an estimated time line for completion.

FEES: There is no charge for any FOIL request delivered electronically, however some exceptions may apply. For the production of paper records, the fees are $.25 per printed page, and $5 for a provided CD\DVD.

 

Appealing a Denial

In the event that your FOIL request is denied, you have the right to appeal. Appeals are handled by the Tioga County Legislature and must be in writing. A review of the denial will be conducted by the Legislature at their next meeting, which is open to the public.

To submit an appeal, write to:

Tioga County Legislature
Attn: Legislative Chairperson
56 Main Street
Owego, NY 13827

Questions about the appeals process may be directed to the Office of the County Attorney at 607.687.8253.