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Tacoma committee reviews proposed public records policy after public comment on online request system
Summary
Committee members heard a public commenter call for in-person assistance with the city's online public records system and received an informational briefing on a proposed policy that clarifies deadlines, fees, deposits and use of the govQA system.
A public commenter urged Tacoma officials to provide in-person help for people who cannot use the city's online public records portal during the Government Performance and Finance Committee meeting on May 20, 2025. The committee then received an informational briefing on a draft public records policy that would formalize use of the city's govQA request system, implement a fee schedule for large or complex requests and clarify staff authority to require deposits or close unpaid requests.
Sally Perkins, speaking during the public comment period, said she had trouble setting up an account after submitting a records request in October 2024 and that delays prevented her from using the information in the city's budget process. "People less tech capable than I am will be prevented from participating in the records request process, which would…
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