176-24: To Adopt a Fee Structure for Public Records Requests
(00:02:00)
176-24: To Adopt a Fee Structure for Public Records Requests
176-24. City Councilor Derrick Cruz and cosponsored by Councilor Cragin and Councilor Walsh. The City of Fitchburg shall adopt a fee structure for public records requests, in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law, as follows:
1. Copying Costs: The City of Fitchburg will charge up to 5 cents per page for standard black-and-white paper copies or printouts of public records.
2. Electronic Records: For records provided electronically, no per-page fee will be charged, though charges may apply for staff time as outlined below.
3. Personnel Costs: The City will charge for the time required to search for, compile, segregate, and redact public records if the time exceeds two hours. The hourly rate will be based on the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task, not exceeding $25 per hour, unless otherwise approved by the Supervisor of Public Records (City Clerk).
4. Preliminary Cost Estimate: Upon receiving a public records request, the City of Fitchburg shall provide the requester with a written, itemized, good-faith estimate of the expected fees before processing the request, if applicable.
5. Effective Date: These changes shall take effect immediately upon approval by the City Council. (LEAVE TO WITHDRAW)