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Commissioners approve new records and HIPAA fee schedule; staff will charge for time and actual costs
Summary
The board approved Resolution 2025-17 to update the county's records/HIPAA fee schedule, aligning fee structure with the City of Albuquerque model and authorizing recovery of staff time and actual costs for producing electronic and mailed records.
Taos County commissioners approved a revised records and HIPAA fee schedule that will allow the county to charge requesters for staff time and the actual costs of producing electronic or mailed records.
Shannon, the staff presenter, said the county assessed practices used by other governments and proposed following the City of Albuquerque's fee model. "We charge for our time," she said, explaining that the county will capture processing time in the records-request portal and may use an hourly rate (example given in discussion: $20 per hour, billed in half-hour increments).
Commissioners asked about practical implementation: how hourly rates will be set, how downloading to media and mailing costs will be recovered, and whether automated redaction tools will be purchased to reduce outside counsel costs. Shannon said the county is researching audio and video redaction options to bring that work in-house and reduce legal costs.
The board moved and approved Resolution 2025-17; staff will return with the portal configuration and the precise rate schedule for posting to the county website.
