These records include but are not limited to real estate assessment information, tax payment information, deeds, certain other court records, maps, plats, plans, permits and zoning information. There are many specific exclusions or conditions for exclusion associated with official public records and the custodian of each record is responsible for ensuring the proper release and access to public records under existing laws and policies. Access to some of these records is required to conduct many forms of business and personal transactions. Information regarding real estate ownership, assessment and tax payment status is accessed hundreds of times every day. The question is whether all or part of the information should or should not be made available to requesters via the Internet.
Risks can include privacy abuses, harassment of individuals, financial fraud, and identity theft.
The Commission has also heard from numerous individuals and businesses that desire the better and faster access the Internet can provide. The Commission published an e-Government services survey in the October issue of Beach Advisory and received 70 responses. The ability to look up real estate information was ranked as one of the top three needs by 30 of the respondents tying it with making payments online as the highest vote getter among 11 choices. The amended FOIA addresses the issues of providing public records electronically if the public entity uses that medium in its regular course of business and Virginia Beach does so. The City may be required to provide public records electronically if such a request is made.