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Judiciary Committee debates FOIA policy draft: payment methods, tracking and response timelines under discussion
Summary
Committee members and County Attorney Anne Ruth debated a draft FOIA resolution that would set payment methods, time-tracking, and response timelines; members disagreed on how quickly requests should be fulfilled and whether to require checks versus broader payment options.
BUTTE — A proposed Butte-Silver Bow resolution to formalize the county’s response to Freedom of Information Act requests prompted a lengthy Judiciary Committee discussion on April 23, 2025 over payment methods, time tracking and realistic response timelines.
The committee considered a draft presented by County Attorney Anne Ruth, who said much of the draft language derived from state statute. Commissioners probed whether the draft should require payment by check or allow other payment forms; whether departments should track time spent fulfilling requests; and what a "reasonable" response timeframe should be when many county records remain unscanned.
Why it matters: The policy would govern how the county charges requesters for public records, how quickly requesters get acknowledgments and documents, and how the county manages a backlog — factors that affect transparency and public access.
What was discussed
- Payment form: The draft initially specified "check" for fee payment. Chair Michelle…
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