Public records team outlines workload, compliance risks and priorities

Public Records Manager Samina Mays told the executive management team that public records compliance is a legal obligation under RCW 4,256, known as the Public Records Act, and that standardized processes and documentation are central to managing legal risk. She said the team will focus on timeliness, search documentation, consistent redaction practices and records‑management improvements. "Public records compliance is a legal obligation under RCW 4,256 and we call that the Public Records Act," Mays said.

Mays outlined program priorities and noted that leadership sets the tone for responsiveness and accountability. She described quality-control steps the program uses—second reviews of exemptions, saved search queries and clear closure letters—to reduce errors and strengthen defenses against litigation. The presentation closed with a list of executive priorities: prioritize searches and compliance, ensure staff responsiveness, promote records‑management best practices, support retention compliance and escalate high‑risk requests early.