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Port Clinton Council adopts video redaction fee provision under Ohio House Bill 315; policy approved 7–0
Summary
Council approved changes to its Public Records Request Policy implementing House Bill 315: municipal agencies can charge $75 per hour for video/audio redaction up to 10 hours ($750 cap). The policy and the fee provision passed by voice vote 7–0 on June 24.
Port Clinton — The Port Clinton City Council on June 24 adopted revisions to its Public Records Request Policy that implement Ohio House Bill 315's new rules on video and audio redaction fees.
On a motion by Councilmember Beth Gillman, seconded by Councilmember Cathy King, council approved Provision IV.F of the Public Records Request Policy authorizing fees for redaction of video or audio (including body-worn cameras and cruiser cameras). Council then approved the full Public Records Request Policy. President Lisa Sarty announced both motions carried by voice roll call 7–0 (ayes: Gillman, Phillips, Morgan, Hovis, Robinson, King, Tarolli).
What the change does: Under the provision cited at the meeting, municipal agencies may charge $75 per hour for redaction work for video or audio records and may bill up to 10 hours of redaction work (a $750 cap). Meeting materials note this change stems from House Bill 315, which took effect Jan. 2, 2025, and that the State Auditor requires the fee provision be included in local public-records policies.
Why it matters: The change clarifies how the city will recover labor costs for redacting video or audio records, including body-worn camera and cruiser footage, and aligns the policy with state law and State Auditor guidance. The unanimous vote makes the provision effective as the council's policy until or unless altered by future council action.
Next steps: The approved policy will be used to process incoming public-records requests for video/audio that require redaction; council did not identify any exceptions at the meeting.
