By GREG GROSS
York Dispatch
York County’s Office of Open Records processed a record number of Right to Know requests in 2014, but the majority didn’t come from who you might expect.
“The perception is most requests come from the general public or the media, but most come from businesses,” said Mike Flannelly, the county solicitor.
Of the record-setting 209 requests filed with the county, the largest amount, 122, came from business entities. Individuals filed 53 requests and members of the press filed 13, according to data from the county.
In 2013, 180 Right to Know requests were filed with the county, up from the 145 filed in 2012, data shows.
The totals don’t includes requests made to the District Attorney’s Office or the county’s Court of Common Pleas.
Unclaimed money: The county’s controllers office fielded 54 requests in 2014, the large majority of which were from people or businesses in regards to unclaimed money the county is holding.
Flannelly said there are businesses that work to retrieve unclaimed money for clients in exchange for a percentage of the funds that are found.
However, anyone can check the county’s list of unclaimed funds without losing a portion of the money, he said.
To view the list, go to yorkcountypa.gov and click “Row Officers” under the “County Administration” tab. From there, click on “Controller” and then “Unclaimed Money.” For additional information, call (717) 771-9586.
The unclaimed money can include everything from leftover commissary when an inmate was released from prison to uncashed checks from payment for jury duty.
Pennsylvania offers a similar feature at patreasury.gov.