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Board adopts VSBA policy updates, sets public-records fees
Summary
The board approved VSBA policy revisions required by House Bill 2,007 and adopted a fee schedule for public-records requests: 25'per page for printouts, no charge for automated computer search time, and staff search time charged at $4.42'$17.67 per quarter hour depending on the staff member; roll-call votes were recorded.
Staff presented VSBA-recommended policy updates required by House Bill 2,007 and recommended explicit fee schedules for requests under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The proposed motion — which a board member summarized as adopting the August 2024 revisions with 25'per page for printouts, no charge for automated computer search time, and human search time billed at a range of $4.42 to $17.67 depending on who performs the work — was moved, seconded and taken to roll-call vote.
During discussion, members asked whether computer search time would be billed while the computer runs in the background and how requesters would receive cost estimates. Staff explained that computer processing in the background could be excluded from charge and that human review, compilation and redaction time are the billable staff elements. One board member expressed concern about range size and urged using the lowest applicable staff rate.
Roll-call votes recorded the motion as approved (recorded votes: Johnson yes; Taylor yes; Christ no; Ealy yes; Andrews yes). The board directed staff to publish the fee schedule consistent with statutory requirements.
