Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Other (indicate in message) Submitted: November 29, 2023 | Updated: January 4, 2024
(November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.
Good evening Danny, Bill, Finance Dept. (or County Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
I previously set up an account to use the County’s Exterro (Public Records Request Portal), and I have used it successfully to submit other requests to the County in the past. Unfortunately, I am now unable to sign in using my login info. I requested a “forgot password” reset today – which I did receive. Although I was able to successfully update my password, I still cannot log into your records portal using my login info. I tried every solution I can think of (clearing my cache, using a different web browser, etc), but there is no way for me to resolve this technical issue with your user login.
Therefore, I am submitting this public records request to your offices directly, as you are also the custodians of the records:
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html
** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to "inspect", nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record should already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
The type of basic salary data I’m requesting is simple to provide, is very commonly produced, and is widely considered a matter of public record as part of the public personnel file of employees. Many NC entities fulfill requests like this via email in 1 week, and in many cases 1 day. You have also fulfilled this request for me before.
Please provide the names and salaries of ALL current Mecklenburg County, NC employees, as of the present day [on the date the query is performed]. Please include the following:
1) Employee first / last name
2) Hire Date
3) Position / Title / Department
4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary -- whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)
Ideally, I’d like to receive these records in an Excel, or other machine-readable format.
If any / all of this info is already publicly available online, please provide a link to where it can be accessed.
————————————
Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816
The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.
Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Completed
Activity:
-
January 4, 2024 1:03 pm
3 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Hollingsworth, Twyla” <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>, “Knarr, Alexandria” <[email protected]>
date: Jan 4, 2024, 1:03 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi Twyla,
Thank you for clarifying.
I also happen to own Dr. David Lawrence’s book Public Records Law for North Carolina Local Governments, and I was able to locate the portion of the quote you referenced.
It is found in Chapter 7, Page 161. Salary Information – The Meaning of “Salary”. In part, Dr. Lawrence says that “… For an hourly employee, the public information is clearly the total amount paid, not the rate of pay, and as the quoted language states, it also includes bonuses or incentives, benefits, and all deferred compensation. It probably also includes compensatory time owed to an employee.”
I will now mark the request as “Completed” on our website.
Thank you for your assistance with the request!
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Completed -
January 2, 2024 9:03 pm
3 months ago
from: Hollingsworth, Twyla <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>, “Knarr, Alexandria” <[email protected]>
date: Jan 2, 2024, 9:03 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hollingsworth, Twyla (Twyla.Hollingsworth@
mecklenburgcountync.gov) has sent you a protected message. Learn about messages protected by Microsoft Purview Message Encryption.
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Hi. This information came from David Lawrence’s book on Public Records law in North Carolina.
Twyla Hollingsworth Richardson
Deputy County Attorney/
Deputy Compliance Officer
704-619-7141
Secure Delivery
Status: Clarification Provided -
January 2, 2024 5:20 pm
3 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Hollingsworth, Twyla” <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>, “Knarr, Alexandria” <[email protected]>
date: Jan 2, 2024, 5:20 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Good evening Twyla,
I’m following up on my last message to you Dec 19 @ 1:47 PM. I have not received a response.
To reiterate:
Thank you for clarifying the County’s position. Just to help me close the loop on this request — is there an online resource you can provide that lists the School of Government’s opinion that you’re quoting above?
Thank you for your help.
~ The Sunshine Request Team
Status: Follow up -
December 19, 2023 1:47 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Hollingsworth, Twyla” <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>, “Knarr, Alexandria” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 19, 2023, 1:47 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi Twyla,
Thank you for clarifying the County’s position.
Just to help me close the loop on this request — is there an online resource you can provide that lists the School of Government’s opinion that you’re quoting above?
Thank you for your help.
Status: Clarification Requested -
December 15, 2023 3:18 pm
4 months ago
from: Hollingsworth, Twyla <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>, “Knarr, Alexandria” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 15, 2023, 3:18 PM
subject: RE: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi, I responded back on December 4, 2023. I indicated at that time that we follow the law. The interpretation from the school of government is that:” for an hourly employee the public information is clearly the total amount paid, not the rate of pay, as the quoted language states, it also includes…”
Thanks
Twyla Hollingsworth Richardson
Deputy County Attorney/Deputy Compliance Officer
600 East 4th St., 11th Floor | Charlotte, NC 28202
980-314-7334 (direct)
704-619-7141(cell)
704-227-1188 (e fax)
Status: Clarification Provided -
December 15, 2023 2:48 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Hollingsworth, Twyla” <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, [email protected]
date: Dec 15, 2023, 2:48 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Good afternoon Twyla,
I’m following up on my previous message to you (see above) from Dec 05, 1:43PM.
I have not heard back.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)
Status: Follow up -
December 5, 2023 1:43 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Hollingsworth, Twyla” <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 5, 2023, 1:43 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi Twyla,
Thanks for your reply.
I am not sure if you saw the “forwarded emails” I sent you from Bill and I. Those were attached within the dropdowns on my previous email.
Just to clarify –
Bill told me to contact you specifically, about my request. My question relates to the actions of Mecklenburg County.My records request asked for a list of all employees and their “Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)”. Bill provided me with the responsive spreadsheet, but he also said: “Please note, hourly rate of pay is not public information so it is not included.”
I’m familiar with § 153A-98. Privacy of employee personnel records, under which item (b)(7) lists County employees’ current salaries as part of the public record. And, under Section (b1) it is specified that “… the term ‘salary’ includes pay, benefits, incentives, bonuses, and deferred and all other forms of compensation paid by the employing entity”.
I interpret the statute to indicate that the hourly rate of pay would be covered by the term “salary” because it’s another type of compensation paid. Can you please clarify Mecklenburg County’s position on whether the hourly rate of employee pay is a public record or not?
I am going to accept the document as provided by Bill as completing my request. However, for the future I do want to clarify Mecklenburg County’s position on whether the hourly rate is public record or not?
Thank you.
~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)
Status: Clarification Requested -
December 4, 2023 2:48 pm
4 months ago
from: Hollingsworth, Twyla <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 4, 2023, 2:48 PM
subject: RE: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi, thank you for your email. I cannot comment on the actions of another entity. I also cannot provide you with legal advice. Mecklenburg County follows North Carolina General Statutes. The specific statute applying to your request is located at N.C.G.S. 153A-98.
Twyla Hollingsworth Richardson
Deputy County Attorney/Deputy Compliance Officer
600 East 4th St., 11th Floor | Charlotte, NC 28202
980-314-7334 (direct)
704-619-7141(cell)
704-227-1188 (e fax)
https://bcert.me/sycikdile
https://bcert.me/sbnnkuogl
Status: Response Received from Government -
December 4, 2023 1:45 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 4, 2023, 1:45 PM
subject: Fwd: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Good afternoon Twyla (and Bill CCed),
I submitted a public records request for the following on 11/29/23:
Please provide the names and salaries of ALL current Mecklenburg County, NC employees, as of the present day [on the date the query is performed]. Please include the following:
1) Employee first / last name
2) Hire Date
3) Position / Title / Department
4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)It does look like Bill has provided me with the salary data I requested for all employees. However, I’m not sure what he means when he says that an employee’s hourly rate of pay is not public information.
I do not know what to make of Bill’s previous messages today at 11:38am or at 1:27pm (see copied below).
Please advise.
Thank you!
~ The Sunshine Request Team
———- Forwarded message ———From: Carroll, William <William.Carroll@mecklenburgcountync.gov> Date: Mon, Dec 4, 2023 at 1:27 PMSubject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.To: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>Good afternoon,The information is provided by the County Attorney’s Office. Please contact the Deputy County Attorney, Twyla Hollingsworth, at Twyla[email protected] or 980-314-7334 with your legal questions.
Bill Carroll
Communications Manager
Public Information
Mecklenburg County Government
704-621-7434 | MeckNC.Gov
From: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2023 1:05 PM
To: Carroll, William <William.Carroll@mecklenburgcountync.gov>
Subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.Hi Bill,Thanks for your reply.RE:4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)That portion of my request is written in such a way to show I acknowledge there may be some employees to whom a typical “salary structure” might not apply. And so in those cases, I ask that you please provide whatever pay data that’s applicable to the employee.——–It does look like you’ve provided me with the salary data I requested for all employees. However, I’m not sure what you mean when you say that an employee’s hourly rate of pay is not public information. Can you please elaborate on what you meanBasic salary data is considered a matter of public record as part of the public personnel file of employees. Just as an example — Grace Nelson at Mecklenburg EMS has provided this information to me for the “EMS Agency” employees specifically, and it includes hourly rates.I assume that perhaps you meant you don’t collect hourly rate data, and so you have no way of looking it up … and therefore won’t provide it?Thank you for your help!
Here you go. Please note, hourly rate of pay is not public information so it is not included. Please confirm your receipt of this information. Thank you —Bill Carroll
Communications Manager
Public Information
Mecklenburg County Government
704-621-7434 | MeckNC.Gov
From: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 5:45 PM
To: Diehl, Daniel <Daniel.Diehl@mecklenburgcountync.gov>
Cc: Carroll, William <William.Carroll@mecklenburgcountync.gov>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; Boyd, David <David.Boyd@ mecklenburgcountync.gov>; Young, Keisha L. <Keisha.Young@ mecklenburgcountync.gov>; Diorio, Dena R. <Dena.Diorio@ mecklenburgcountync.gov>
Subject: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good evening Danny, Bill, Finance Dept. (or County Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
I previously set up an account to use the County’s Exterro (Public Records Request Portal), and I have used it successfully to submit other requests to the County in the past. Unfortunately, I am now unable to sign in using my login info. I requested a “forgot password” reset today – which I did receive. Although I was able to successfully update my password, I still cannot log into your records portal using my login info. I tried every solution I can think of (clearing my cache, using a different web browser, etc), but there is no way for me to resolve this technical issue with your user login.
Therefore, I am submitting this public records request to your offices directly, as you are also the custodians of the records:
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/
enactedlegislation/statutes/ html/bychapter/chapter_132. html ** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record should already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
The type of basic salary data I’m requesting is simple to provide, is very commonly produced, and is widely considered a matter of public record as part of the public personnel file of employees. Many NC entities fulfill requests like this via email in 1 week, and in many cases 1 day. You have also fulfilled this request for me before.
Please provide the names and salaries of ALL current Mecklenburg County, NC employees, as of the present day [on the date the query is performed]. Please include the following:
1) Employee first / last name
2) Hire Date
3) Position / Title / Department
4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)
Ideally, I’d like to receive these records in an Excel, or other machine-readable format.
If any / all of this info is already publicly available online, please provide a link to where it can be accessed.
————————————
Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816
The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.
Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Clarification Requested -
December 4, 2023 1:27 pm
4 months ago
from: Carroll, William <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Dec 4, 2023, 1:27 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Good afternoon,
The information is provided by the County Attorney’s Office. Please contact the Deputy County Attorney, Twyla Hollingsworth, at [email protected] or 980-314-7334 with your legal questions.
Bill Carroll
Communications Manager
Public Information
Mecklenburg County Government
704-621-7434 | MeckNC.Gov
Status: Clarification Provided -
December 4, 2023 1:05 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>
date: Dec 4, 2023, 1:05 PM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Hi Bill,
Thanks for your reply.
RE:
4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)That portion of my request is written in such a way to show I acknowledge there may be some employees to whom a typical “salary structure” might not apply. And so in those cases, I ask that you please provide whatever pay data that’s applicable to the employee.
——–It does look like you’ve provided me with the salary data I requested for all employees. However, I’m not sure what you mean when you say that an employee’s hourly rate of pay is not public information. Can you please elaborate on what you mean?
Basic salary data is considered a matter of public record as part of the public personnel file of employees. Just as an example — Grace Nelson at Mecklenburg EMS has provided this information to me for the “EMS Agency” employees specifically, and it includes hourly rates.
I assume that perhaps you meant you don’t collect hourly rate data, and so you have no way of looking it up … and therefore won’t provide it?
Thank you for your help!
Status: Clarification Requested -
December 4, 2023 11:38 am
4 months ago
from: Carroll, William <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Dec 4, 2023, 11:38 AM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Here you go. Please note, hourly rate of pay is not public information so it is not included. Please confirm your receipt of this information. Thank you —
Bill Carroll
Communications Manager
Public Information
Mecklenburg County Government
704-621-7434 | MeckNC.Gov**Editor’s Note: Please see the 1 file referenced (“Redacted-Copy-of-Mecklenburg-County-Employee-Salaries_12.04.23.xlsx”) at top left in our Documents section.
Status: Response Received from Government -
November 30, 2023 8:42 am
4 months ago
from: Carroll, William <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, “Diehl, Daniel” <[email protected]>
cc: “[email protected]” <[email protected]>, “Boyd, David” <[email protected]>, “Young, Keisha L.” <[email protected]>, “Diorio, Dena R.” <[email protected]>
date: Nov 30, 2023, 8:42 AM
subject: Re: [External]Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Dear Sunshine,
Sorry you’re having trouble. I’ll address your request via email.
Bill Carroll
Communications Manager
Public Information
Mecklenburg County Government
704-621-7434 | MeckNC.Gov
Status: Government Processing Request -
November 29, 2023 5:45 pm
4 months ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
cc: “Carroll, William” <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
date: Nov 29, 2023, 5:45 PM
subject: Public records request. (November 2023) Request for Mecklenburg County, NC Government: All employees and salaries, as of the present day.Good evening Danny, Bill, Finance Dept. (or County Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),
I previously set up an account to use the County’s Exterro (Public Records Request Portal), and I have used it successfully to submit other requests to the County in the past. Unfortunately, I am now unable to sign in using my login info. I requested a “forgot password” reset today – which I did receive. Although I was able to successfully update my password, I still cannot log into your records portal using my login info. I tried every solution I can think of (clearing my cache, using a different web browser, etc), but there is no way for me to resolve this technical issue with your user login.
Therefore, I am submitting this public records request to your offices directly, as you are also the custodians of the records:
Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html
** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record should already exist). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
The type of basic salary data I’m requesting is simple to provide, is very commonly produced, and is widely considered a matter of public record as part of the public personnel file of employees. Many NC entities fulfill requests like this via email in 1 week, and in many cases 1 day. You have also fulfilled this request for me before.
Please provide the names and salaries of ALL current Mecklenburg County, NC employees, as of the present day [on the date the query is performed]. Please include the following:
1) Employee first / last name
2) Hire Date
3) Position / Title / Department
4) Salary (including hourly wage, hourly rate, or salary — whichever payment structure is applicable to that employee)Ideally, I’d like to receive these records in an Excel, or other machine-readable format.
If any / all of this info is already publicly available online, please provide a link to where it can be accessed.
————————————Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.
By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:
Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.
Thank you for your assistance!
** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Status: Sent to Government -
November 29, 2023 5:43 pm
4 months ago
Submitted to Sunshine Request
Status: Pending