Council updates public-records policy, approves $0.84-per-minute body-camera redaction fee over staff objections

The White Salmon City Council on April 15 approved Resolution No. 2026-04-643, updating the city’s Public Records Policy and Procedure, including a per-minute fee for redacting and producing police body-camera video. The motion passed 4-1; Councilor Doug Rainbolt voted no, saying he would not support the resolution unless it required more than one reviewer for videos involving sensitive content such as footage of juveniles.

Mayor Marla Keethler introduced the item and staff described the fee as derived from a recent cost-of-service study. Staff told the council the proposed $0.84-per-minute charge comes from state guidelines and that demand for redaction is already heavy; with only two trained employees handling redaction, adding another required review step would strain resources.

Council members voiced concern about privacy and liability when footage includes minors or otherwise sensitive material and suggested designating two or three staff reviewers for sensitive releases. Police Chief Mike Hepner acknowledged the privacy concern but said the department cannot readily add a second-review step for all releases because of limited trained staff and high request volume.

The resolution’s other edits align the city’s policies with state guidance on public-records handling. The motion to approve was moved by Councilor Ben Giant and seconded by Councilor David Lindley. Vote tally: Giant — Aye; Fink — Aye; Rainbolt — Nay; Mora — Aye; Lindley — Aye. The resolution passed 4-1.