Director orders Carbon County to produce flood‑prevention documents after failing to respond timely

Counsel for petitioners Hannah Lewis and Rick O'Hearan told the director they had filed a GRAMA request on May 15 seeking documents about flooding and prevention measures; they received no timely response and only got a partial reply during the hearing. Counsel asked the director to order Carbon County to produce the remaining documents the county said were forthcoming.

County counsel acknowledged internal confusion about who should gather materials and apologized for the delay, saying he had begun collecting documents from the county engineer and emergency services coordinator and would provide Price River dredging documents within days. The director found the county failed to comply with GRAMA's timeliness and specificity requirements for public records and ordered the county to conduct a search and produce responsive records in its possession. The county must provide a notice of compliance or file an appeal to district court within 30 days; the director will issue a written decision within seven business days.

The hearing highlighted internal process gaps at the county that contributed to the missed response timeline. County counsel said he will personally coordinate production and recommended direct coordination with petitioners' counsel to expedite delivery of the documents.