Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Records Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County attorney explains public‑records charge policy after commissioners raise concerns over social‑media posts
Summary
Commissioners discussed the county's public‑records request policy and special‑service charges for extensive requests after a screenshot circulated on social media; County Attorney Sarah Johnston said the policy is posted online and special charges apply when requests require extended staff time to redact or review records.
Commissioners discussed public‑records request procedures and special‑service charges after one commissioner said a screenshot circulating on social media suggested the board was trying to hide information. County Attorney Sarah Johnston told the board that the county has a public‑records policy posted on its website and that "if there is an extensive public records request that requires more than, you know, 30 minutes of your time ... then the requester would pay for the cost to review to ensure that all confidential or protected information [is] redacted in accordance with law."
Johnston said the special‑service charge exists to avoid using county funds to fulfill requests that provide private benefit to a single requester, and that she has not recently charged for any extensive requests in the county. Commissioners asked whether past requesters had been charged; Johnston said she was not aware of any recent cases requiring an extensive review charge but offered to forward examples of her email responses to commissioners who requested them.
One commissioner asked whether the county has a full policy online; Johnston confirmed the policy is online and said staff will provide follow-up examples when requested. The board did not adopt any changes to the public‑records policy at the meeting.
