How to File a Public Records Request in Mustang, Oklahoma

What Is the Oklahoma Open Records Act?

The Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1 through 24A.34) is the state law guaranteeing the public's right to inspect, copy, and mechanically reproduce records maintained by government bodies. Grounded in the Oklahoma Constitution's recognition that all political power is inherent in the people, the Act declares it state policy that every citizen has an inherent right to be fully informed about their government. Anyone — resident or not — may request records, and no statement of purpose is required.

Public records covered by the Act include any document, regardless of physical form, that is connected to the transaction of public business, the expenditure of public funds, or the administration of public property. For the City of Mustang, this means records such as city council meeting minutes and agendas, building permits, city contracts, zoning decisions, budget documents, utility records, and official emails sent or received in connection with government business.

Key exemptions include personnel records whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy (51 O.S. § 24A.7), law enforcement investigative files (51 O.S. § 24A.8), records protected by attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine, executive session minutes, and records classified confidential under roughly 150 other state statutes. The burden of proving a record is exempt falls on the government — not on the person making the request.

Read the full text of the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Title 51 Oklahoma Statutes §§ 24A.1 through 24A.33)

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Mustang

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Mustang maintains an Open Records Request form, available on the city's website under Forms, Permits & Applications. Download, complete, and submit the form to the City Clerk's Office at Mustang City Hall, 1501 N. Mustang Road, Mustang, OK 73064. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Friday, 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM) or by mail to the same address. While the Oklahoma Open Records Act does not require a specific form, using the city's form helps ensure your request is routed to the correct office and includes all information needed for a complete response. For police records specifically, contact the Mustang Police Department Records Division at (405) 376-7733.

Download Required Form

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and mailing address
• A description of the records you are requesting, as specific as possible (dates, subject matter, document type, department)
• Your preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, or inspection in person)
• A statement of your maximum fee threshold, or a request for a fee waiver if the request serves the public interest
• Your phone number or email address so city staff can contact you with questions
• The relevant city department or official you believe holds the records, if known
• For police records: the specific incident number, date, or party names to help staff locate the file

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

The Oklahoma Open Records Act does not set a fixed calendar deadline for agencies to fulfill records requests. Instead, under 51 O.S. § 24A.5(6), the City of Mustang must provide 'prompt, reasonable access' to its records. Any delay is permissible only to the extent necessary to prepare the documents and avoid excessive disruption of essential city functions — and the city may not stall a current request by pointing to a longer, pre-existing request queue.

In practice, simple requests for readily available documents are often fulfilled within a few business days to two weeks. Complex requests involving large volumes of records, records requiring legal review, or records from multiple departments may take longer. Some municipalities in Oklahoma treat 30 days as a general benchmark for complex requests, though this is not a statutory requirement.

The Act also specifies that at least one person must be available at all times during regular business hours to release records. Mustang City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Regarding fees: copying is capped at $0.25 per page for standard documents under 51 O.S. § 24A.5. For commercial-purpose requests, a search fee may also be charged. No search fee may be charged when the request serves the public interest, such as requests by news reporters, researchers, or taxpayers monitoring government conduct. The city must post its fee schedule at its principal office and with the county clerk.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City of Mustang denies your open records request, or fails to respond within a reasonable time, you have meaningful legal options under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Common reasons for denial include claims that records fall under one of the Act's specific exemptions — such as personnel records, active law enforcement investigative files, attorney-client privileged communications, or executive session minutes. Sometimes a denial reflects confusion about which department holds the records, or a misapplication of an exemption. An informal follow-up call to the City Clerk's Office often resolves these situations.

If a denial stands, start by asking for a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption being applied. Oklahoma law (51 O.S. § 24A.5) provides that any reasonably segregable portion of a record that is not exempt must be released, even if other parts are withheld. If the city is claiming an exemption, you are entitled to receive the non-exempt portions of the document with the exempt sections redacted.

If informal resolution fails, your primary legal remedy is to file a civil suit in district court for declarative or injunctive relief under 51 O.S. § 24A.17. Oklahoma does not have a public records ombudsman, so there is no free administrative appeal body to contact before going to court. However, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office can sometimes provide informal guidance on whether a denial appears improper.

If you prevail in court, you are entitled to reasonable attorney fees under § 24A.17(B). If the city wins and the court finds your lawsuit was clearly frivolous, the city may recover its attorney fees. Willful violations of the Act by a public official constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or up to one year in the county jail.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the City Clerk's Office informally to clarify or narrow your request, or to ask why records are being withheld.
2. Request a written denial specifying the exact statutory exemption relied upon under 51 O.S. § 24A.5.
3. Ask the City Clerk or City Attorney to release the non-exempt portions of any record being withheld, as required by 51 O.S. § 24A.5(3).
4. Contact the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office for informal guidance on whether the denial appears to misapply the law.
5. File a civil suit in Canadian County District Court for declarative or injunctive relief under 51 O.S. § 24A.17.
6. If you prevail in district court, seek an award of reasonable attorney fees under 51 O.S. § 24A.17(B), which is available to any successful requester.
7. Consult a media law attorney or a First Amendment organization such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which publishes a free Oklahoma open government guide.

Types of Records You Can Request from Mustang, Oklahoma

The City of Mustang produces and maintains a wide range of public records in the ordinary course of city business. The following are common record types that residents, journalists, and researchers frequently request.

• City Council meeting minutes, agendas, and supporting materials
• Ordinances, resolutions, and municipal code amendments
• City budget documents, audited financial statements, and expenditure records
• City contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement documents
• Building permits, inspection reports, and code enforcement records
• Zoning applications, planning commission decisions, and subdivision approvals
• City employee salary and compensation records (positions and gross pay are public)
• Police incident reports and arrest logs (subject to law enforcement exemptions for active investigations)
• Fire department incident reports and inspection records
• Public works project plans, bids, and engineering reports
• Utility system records (water quality reports, infrastructure plans)
• Economic development incentive agreements and Mustang Economic Development Authority records
• City-owned property records and real estate transactions
• Environmental and infrastructure compliance reports
• Campaign finance and ethics filings for city officials

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

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Mustang