Loveland council approves fees for police video records under state law

The Loveland City Council on an unanimous 6-0 vote on Resolution 33 authorized the city manager to impose fees for police department video records after House Bill 315 changed the Ohio Revised Code on public-records charges.

Chief Michael Gabrielson told the council House Bill 315, signed Jan. 2, 2025, permits agencies to recover “actual cost of processing the records with a cap of $75 per hour and a total maximum of $750.” He described the agency’s workload, saying a one-hour video “often takes 3 to 4 hours to retrieve, download, review, redact, seek legal advice on, and produce a final record,” and that a current single request involving multiple officers would require over 20 staff hours.

The change to Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 was the subject of most of the discussion. Council members asked how staff would manage demand and whether waivers would be available for requesters lacking resources. Gabrielson said the city manager has the authority to waive fees and that staff receive ongoing public-records training and regular consultation with the city solicitor to ensure compliance. He noted that some requesters monetize released videos and that the fees are intended to offset labor costs.

Council member Ping and others asked about staffing; Gabrielson said the department has a part-time staff member funded by a grant who handles records but that the workload often requires multiple staff reviewers. Peyton (council) asked where the fee caps originated; Gabrielson replied they come directly from House Bill 315.

Resolution 33 was adopted 6 to 0. The council did not set an administrative policy in the meeting; staff said a policy and process will be developed for when the city begins charging the fees.