Riverdale council adopts public-records, First Amendment audit and utility-penalty policies

The Riverdale City Council unanimously approved three administrative resolutions that adopt a public-records request policy, a First Amendment audit policy and a policy providing discretion to waive or reduce penalties for late utility bills.

City Administrator Brooks, who presented all three items, said the records policy formalizes practices the city already follows. "This is something that we already do. We've just never formally adopted a policy on that," Brooks said, adding that pending changes in the state legislature (to the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act) may require future amendments.

The council then considered a resolution on First Amendment audits after Brooks showed video examples and described how auditors—individuals who record in public buildings and on public property—operate. "They have the legal right to record it as well," Brooks said. He told the council the policy will instruct staff to post signs and designate restricted areas (for example, HR offices and other places containing private information), and that staff will receive annual training on handling auditors. Police Chief Warren described operational steps the department takes when auditors appear and said the department will "kill them with kindness" while monitoring the situation to protect staff…