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Public Records Request

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS
The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, Sections 14-2-1 through 14-2-2, provides that every person has the right to inspect public records of the State of New Mexico.  The City processes all requests for public records in accordance with the New Mexico IPRA regulations.

IPRA Request Frequently Asked Questions

Records Request Processing Time
The processing time frame for IPRA requests can vary. The City of Ruidoso Downs always strives to fulfill requests in three days, however, IPRA regulations do allow up to 15 days for the processing of requests in most cases.

TO SUBMIT A REQUEST:
A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a  PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST FORM to the records custodian orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by the Act apply only to written requests.

Information to Include in Your Request
When submitting a written public records request, must include a detailed description of the records you are seeking. When submitting, you must include the following:
  • Your name as the requester
  • Your mailing address as the requester
  • Your email address as the requester
  • Your phone number as the requester
  • The department where your request should be directed (if you know this information)
  • For Police Department records: date of the incident, name of the officer, the full name of a person, date of birth, etc.
  • For Clerk’s Office records: Full names, property addresses, case numbers, etc.
  • The type of record you are seeking: correspondence, contracts, submissions, proposals, emails, licenses, logs, reports, etc.
  • The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the records custodian to identify and locate the requested records.

Including the information above, when applicable, assists the records custodian to more quickly finding the responsive documents you are seeking and prevents requests for further clarification.

RESPONSE TO A REQUEST:
The records custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the records custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within three (3) business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request.

If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the records custodian explaining the reasons the inspection has been denied. The written denial shall be delivered or mailed within fifteen (15) calendar days after the records custodian received the request for inspection. If the records requested are extensive, the requestor may receive a burdensome letter extending the deadline for the request.

Record Copying Charges & Options
The City of Ruidoso Downs, in accordance with IPRA regulations, reserves the right to charge a fee when the requester asks the City to make physical paper copies of documents or place electronic documents on CDs, USB/Thumb Drives, or DVDs. All requesters will be notified in advance of any fees related to their public records copying requests, should they request copies. Payment must be received before copies of records will be created and released. Resolution 2021-21.


Again, please note that it is free to inspect public records and we will only charge a fee if you request that we make copies of documents for you. In addition, a requester is welcome to utilize their own copying device (such as a cell phone camera or portable scanner) to make their own free copies of responsive documents as long as the document does not leave the County facility where it is being viewed.

The Office of the City Clerk maintains many of our records on our website.  If the records you seek are not available on or through our website, please send completed request forms for public records to:

The public records custodians for the City of Ruidoso Downs is:
Alejandra "Ally" Giron, City Clerk/Treasurer
Administrative Assistant to the Mayor

agiron@ruidosodowns.us
P.O. Box 348, 123 Downs Drive
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346

Selena Chavez, Deputy City Clerk
schavez@ruidosodowns.us
P.O. Box 348, 123 Downs Drive
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346

Resources
The resources below may provide additional information related to public records:
State of New Mexico Attorney General’s Office
State of New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act
Freedom of Information Act

Court Records
If the request relates to the Municipal Court
Contact person: Blythe Gilmore

123 Downs Drive, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, 88346
Phone (575) 378-5316