FOIA Request to Pender County regarding vendor payment registers on January 15, 2026.
On January 15, 2026, SE North Carolina News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Pender County, North Carolina. The request seeks access to vendor payment registers maintained by the county for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The records requested include the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.
The request was made under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. ยง132-1., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format. SE North Carolina News emphasizes that access to these public records is crucial for their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As part of their professional responsibilities as media members, they have also requested a fee waiver.
SE North Carolina News is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. This coalition aims to increase transparency and inform the American electorate about government actions.
Of note in Pender County’s educational landscape is that during the 2022-23 school year, only 26.9% of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT were considered ready for college. This statistic highlights ongoing challenges within local education systems that may be further explored through public records like those requested.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.