City of Muncie Misses Public Records Deadline, MIMS Request Regarding Muncie Crisis Center "Could Not Be Found" in System
by Vivian Bostick
Editor’s Note: Vivian Bostick is the Project Director of Muncie Independent Media Service (MIMS). MIMS publishes The Cardinal Independent (The CI).
MUNCIE, Ind. (MIMS) - The Muncie Crisis Center reportedly ceased its operations on July 3, 2026.
When I filed a public records request under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) for communications between the City of Muncie, Meridian Health Services and Muncie Mission Ministries on June 23, 2026—the same day the city announced in a Facebook post that they’ve “just been informed” operations would cease—the city missed a state deadline to respond to MIMS.
Public records requests made to Indiana government entities (such as cities and public universities) operate under APRA. When you file an APRA request digitally or by fax, the entity has seven days to send an initial response—any correspondence that simply reads “We got your request and are processing it.”
The city did not meet this deadline.
Thirteen days after the APRA request was submitted, on July 6, 2026, I reached out to Director of Communications Amber Greene via email.
“Good afternoon,
On June 23, 2026, the Muncie Independent Media Service filed a request under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA). Upon submitting the form, we were assigned with tracking code [Tracking Code]. The request is in regards to the Muncie Crisis Center, which ceased operations on July 3, 2026, the City of Muncie announcing they had ‘just been informed’ in a June 23, 2026 Facebook post.
Pursuant to Indiana law, public agencies are required to, at least, acknowledge receipt of an APRA request that was faxed or digitally sent within seven (7) days. As this request was filed digitally, and MIMS has not received any communication from the City of Muncie, the city has exceeded this statutory timeline. As of July 6, 2026, an initial response is 6 days overdue.
We kindly request the City of Muncie issue an initial response to our request at its earliest convenience.”
As of the time of publication, neither Greene nor anyone with the city has reached out.
The portal to file an APRA request with the city is here. On July 9, 2026, late at night, I removed everything after and including the ? in the link. When I did that, I was able to find this page to track my request.
However, after entering my email address and the tracking code, the portal said my request “could not be found.”
“I'm sorry, but the email address ‘[Direct Email]@cimuncie.org’ and the tracking # ‘[Tracking Code]’ could not be found in our system. Please try another email address or tracking #.”
On July 9, 2026 at 1:50am, I sent a formal complaint to the Indiana Public Access Counselor (PAC) via email. I filled out an Indiana State Form 49407 and attached all of that information as evidence.
If the PAC chooses to accept my complaint, they’ll reach out to the city, which will have “approximately twenty (20) business days to respond,” according to the PAC’s formal complaint guide, but could request more time. The PAC would then issue an opinion—a piece of advice for me and the city, not an enforceable order—typically within 40 to 45 days.
For now, I’m waiting to see if the PAC chooses to accept my complaint. I am dedicated to this matter so MIMS can follow up with the latest verified facts in its coverage across its platforms. I thank everyone for their continued trust in their independent newsroom.