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Council approves revised public-records procedures amid debate over fees and data-mining
Summary
The council approved revisions to the city's public-records procedures intended to deter commercial "data-mining" by nonresident requesters while preserving access for Homewood residents; councilors questioned fee structures and legal constraints under the Alabama Open Records Act before the measure passed 4–1.
Council discussed a proposed update to public-records request procedures drafted to clarify the request process, improve efficiency, and to create safeguards against large-scale commercial data-mining. City staff emphasized the change was not intended to burden Homewood residents: "This will not affect Homewood residents whatsoever," staff said when answering questions about fees and who would bear costs.
Councilors raised concerns about applying fees, how to determine residency and whether the changes complied with the Alabama Open Records Act. The city attorney noted the draft is legal as written but implementing some provisions is a policy choice. After debate about resident protections, out-of-state commercial requesters and possible fee waivers for public-interest requests, the council approved the revision 4–1 (Resolution 2679). The approved resolution directs staff to adopt the updated procedures while allowing for discretion and fee waivers when in the public interest.
