Council upholds partial FOIA denial in 6–1 vote

The Greenville City Council on Nov. 7 considered an appeal of a staff decision to partially deny a Freedom of Information Act request relating to Jacob P. Winters and voted to uphold the FOIA Coordinator’s determination.

Councilperson Lehman moved to uphold the partial denial and Councilperson Cunliffe seconded. The motion carried 6–1: Mayor Scoby, Councilpersons Lehman, Barrus, Cunliffe, Johnson and Linton voted to uphold the decision; Councilperson Moss voted no.

The council’s action leaves the FOIA Coordinator’s partial denial in place; the motion as recorded does not specify additional redactions or releases. Paul Johnson had addressed the council during public comment about the underlying FOIA case prior to the council’s vote.

Next steps: The transcript records the council’s vote and motion language but does not record further direction to staff or a requirement for additional disclosure. Any administrative appeals or follow-up would proceed under the applicable FOIA procedures.