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McCall council adopts fees for public records requests by nonresidents under HB 253
Summary
The council unanimously approved Resolution 26‑03 setting a fee schedule for public records requests from nonresidents (outside Idaho), including an upfront fee (proposed $75, alternative $35) to cover first hour of staff time and 10¢ per printed page after 100 pages.
The McCall City Council adopted Resolution 26‑03 to establish fees for public records requests made by nonresidents, consistent with recent state legislation.
City Clerk Bessie Jo Wagner explained the ordinance stems from state law (referenced as House Bill 253) allowing a separate fee schedule for requesters who do not live in Idaho. She described staff time demands and proposed fee structure: an upfront charge (the proposal presented was $75 based on fully loaded wages, with an alternative $35 option tied to records clerk wages), charging for the first hour upfront and additional hourly charges thereafter, and 10¢ per printed page for large printed requests.
Wagner said the city received several lengthy records requests in 2025, including 164 non‑police records requests overall and 37 from out‑of‑state requesters. She noted some requests required attorney review and that volume can create overlapping deadlines for staff.
No public testimony was received. Council moved to adopt the resolution, authorized the mayor to sign necessary documents, and approved the measure by unanimous roll call.
What’s next: Staff will implement the nonresident records fee schedule and process any fee exemptions for nonprofits that demonstrate a public benefit claim as provided in the policy.
