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Prineville Review asks commissioners to waive public-records fees, cites excessive charges and requests documents on county retention program
Summary
The Prineville Review requested that commissioners waive or reduce public-records production fees for a news request related to the Natural Resource Advisory Committee and asked for the county’s records-retention program documents.
Justin Alderman, managing editor of the Prineville Review, asked the Board of Commissioners to grant a fee waiver or reduction for public-records requests related to records from the Natural Resource Advisory Committee (NRAC).
Alderman said the newspaper had requested records tied to NRAC emails and potential conflicts of interest involving a committee member, and that county counsel had estimated 5 hours of staff time to process the request — two hours of staff time and three hours of legal counsel time — for a completion fee the speaker said equated to $2,370. Alderman also cited the county’s $165-per-hour legal counsel review rate and questioned the methodology that produced that charge, saying the county’s assessed fees appeared excessive.
He urged the board to consider a fee waiver under Oregon public-records guidance for requests that serve public interest, noting the Prineville Review distributes free local reporting. He said the newspaper had requested the county provide documents showing its records-retention program because those materials are relevant to understanding how the county retained or produced records. Alderman said the newspaper had sought facilitated dispute resolution with the Oregon Public Records Advocate and was prepared to pursue a petition with the district attorney if necessary.
The board took the comments for consideration; county staff said they would review and respond to the specific requests and correspondence.
No board vote was taken on the waiver at the meeting; the speaker asked that records-retention documents be provided before the end of the week to support facilitated dispute resolution.
