College says it will take about 90 days before it can provide the Public Records data requested unless he narrows query

In May 2022 the Yavapai Community College administration asked the Governing Board to approve expending $10 million on developing a commercial brewery/distiller somewhere on the east side of the County. The information provided the Governing Board was sparse. However, it did inform the Board that the brewery would be housed in a 14,000 square foot new building.

Despite having little information, the Governing Board approved the expenditure by a 4-1 vote. Third District Board representative Paul Chevalier dissented.

The approval came despite the fact the Board had received no hard data showing an actual need for such a facility. Or, hard data showing the potential number of graduates from such a program, the number who might be employed in the brewing industry after receiving a certificate or degree, or the estimated starting salaries of students with a certificate.

To make matters worse, the Governing Board had not debated or even discussed the pros and cons of using funds for a brewery versus using the funds for expanding the small Skills Trade Center with a goal of providing a wide variety of high-tech training opportunities to a large number of east County residents.

Representative Paul Chevalier made it clear at the meeting that he opposed the expenditure until he had more information justifying spending this much money for the project. (The College already has a small brewing lab in Building “G” on the Yavapai Campus and registration for the fall 2022 course offerings was not full.) His stated preference was to use the funds to expand hi-tech training programs where job opportunities are many and starting salaries high.

Following the May meeting, Chevalier made several attempts to obtain additional information about the expenditure from the Community College. However, the Community College shut the door on him, with approval from the Governing Board chair, at every turn. In frustration he submitted a Public Records Request to the Community College asking for details and data about the brewery project.

The College responding to his request by informing him that he will have to pay $2,500 for the information and it will take about 90 days to assemble it. Otherwise, he must find a way to reduce his request.

According to Mr. Chevalier, he is considering his options. As an elected official who is supposed to be able to fully inform his constituents of College programs and development, he is puzzled by the College’s sustained effort to keep so much data and information from him and his constituents.

Yavapai Community College’s response to Representative Chevalier’s Public Records request follows below.

Good morning, Mr. Chevalier,

In researching your recent Public Records Request form, we have identified 3700+ emails and mail with lengthy attachments. The total request is 10,000+ pages with a cost of $2,500.00 due before the documents are provided. Additionally, each email must be read, and any personal identifiers redacted so this will take some time to produce. We are estimating at least 90 days.

Would you prefer to tighten the scope of your Public Records Request form or proceed with your original Public Records Request form as written? If you choose the latter, please remit payment of $2,500.00. Once received, we will begin the process.