The City of Brandenburg violated Kentucky's Open Records Act by failing to respond to a public records request within the required timeframe, according to a decision issued by the Kentucky Attorney General's office.

In a decision dated May 26, 2026, the Attorney General's Office found that the City of Brandenburg did not provide a timely written response to a records request submitted April 14 by resident Brian Chism. The city's failure to respond within five business days as required by state law constituted a violation of the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Chism had requested copies of all documents provided and discussed during the city's April 2026 regular city council meeting. After receiving no response, he appealed to the Attorney General's office on April 28. The city subsequently acknowledged the oversight and provided the requested records on May 1, including the meeting agenda, business license applications, meeting minutes, and rezoning ordinance information.

Under Kentucky law, public agencies must determine within five business days of receiving a records request whether to comply and notify the requester in writing of their decision. The city conceded it failed to send a written response until after receiving notice of the appeal, making it unable to meet the statutory deadline.

Brandenburg is a rural-class city on the Ohio River in Meade County, 40 miles southwest of Louisville, with a population of approximately 2,900 residents. City officials have been notified that aggrieved parties may appeal the Attorney General's decision in circuit court within 30 days.