Warren County received a 50 percent rating as part of a Sunshine Law compliance test conducted by Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway in August.A total of 326 governments statewide were sent generic information requests under the Sunshine Law. Of the sample group, only 91 government entities passed 100 percent.The requests asked for meeting minutes from the final meeting of 2015, the name of the entity’s custodian of records and asked if there was a policy on recording meetings.It went on to request that the fee for requested information be waived and the requester be notified if it would exceed $10.The compliance test had two categories that included if the information was supplied in a timely manner (usually in three days) and if all information requested was provided.Although Warren County’s response to the request came in a timely manner, it did not provide all information requested by the test letter. County Clerk Barb Daly says she remembers the request, but had no idea it was a test from the state.“I remember contacting the sender to ask about what specific information they wanted,” she said. “We kind of went back and forth with them.”Daly said her office only averages one Sunshine Law request per month, but that number can fluctuate.“Sometimes it’s more, sometimes it’s less,” she said. “Any time we get a request, we contact the person right away to let them know I am in receipt of their request. My office is responsible for the commission minutes and clerk’s records. Other requests go to the individual departments directly.”Daly added each request is answered as quickly as possible, but sometimes it may take a longer period of time to get information, depending on what is requested and where it may be stored.Of the 114 counties in Missouri, 11 were sampled in the test, and only Franklin, Adair and Scotland counties received “yes” remarks in both categories. Debbie Door, who is the custodian of records across the river in Franklin County, says she is very proud they passed the test, even though they also didn’t know they were taking one.“Sunshine requests are one of the most important things I do in my job,” Door said. “We take them very seriously. I don’t remember that specific request, but it was handled just like any other.”Door added all requests must originate in the clerk’s office and she receives one about every day.According to the state auditor’s report, of those who received a request, 37 percent failed to acknowledge it or respond within the three-day time period required by law.Some of those eventually provided information after the deadline, but 16 percent did not respond at all.The state auditor’s office monitors a total of 4,113 government entities statewide.Sunshine Law