2.35.050 Copying of public records – Fees.
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.120(2)(b), the district has not calculated the actual costs it charges for providing public records because to do so would be unduly burdensome. The district does not have the resources to conduct a study to determine all of its actual copying costs, and to conduct such a study would interfere with other essential district functions. The district shall charge for copies of public records in accordance with the statutory default fees set forth in RCW 42.56.120(2)(b) and (2)(c), as may be amended, and in the manner set forth below.
(1) Inspection. There is no fee for inspecting public records.
(2) Paper Copies. The district shall charge $0.15 per page for all photocopies of public records, printed copies of electronic public records when requested by the person requesting records, or for the use of the district’s equipment to photocopy public records.
(3) Electronic Copies. The district shall charge the following for electronic copies:
(a) Ten cents per page for public records scanned into an electronic format or for the use of district equipment to scan the records;
(b) Five cents cents per each four electronic files or attachment uploaded to email, cloud-based data storage service, or other means of electronic delivery;
(c) Ten cents per gigabyte for the transmission of public records in an electronic format or for the use of the district’s equipment to send records electronically.
(4) Actual Delivery Costs – Facsimile – Mail. The district shall charge the actual cost of any digital storage media or device provided by the agency, the actual cost of any container or envelope used to mail the copies to the requestor, the actual postage, delivery charge or cost of long distance facsimile transmission and/or mailing.
(5) Alternative Fees. The district may, at its option, charge the fees authorized under RCW 42.56.120(2)(c), (2)(d), and (3), including an alternative $2.00 flat fee or customized fees for information technology expertise/access, and shall comply with the procedures set forth under the statutes for said fees.
(6) Combination of Charges. The charges authorized herein may be combined to the extent that more than one type of charges apply to copies produced in response to a particular request.
(7) Other Statutory Fees. In accordance with RCW 42.56.130, the district may charge other copy fees authorized by statutes located outside of Chapter 42.56 RCW.
(8) Deposit, Installments. In response to a request for copies of public records, the district may require a deposit in the amount of 10 percent of the estimated cost of providing the copies. If the district makes public records available on a partial or installment basis, the district may charge for each part of the partial disclosure or installment prior to it being provided. If an installment of a records request is not claimed, reviewed, or paid for the district need not fulfill the balance of the request.
(9) Vendor. If the district has to pay an off-site vendor for copying public records in nonstandard formats, including but not limited to photographs, blueprints or tape recordings, the requestor shall pay the actual costs of such duplication. If the public records officer determines it is reasonable to send a request to an off-site vendor for copying, the district may: (a) arrange for the requestor to pay the vendor directly for copies made; or (b) charge the requestor the actual amount charged by the off-site vendor to the district for the copies made.
(10) Certified Copies. Where the request is for a certified copy of public records, an additional charge of $5.00 may be applied to cover the additional expense and time required for certification.
(11) Estimate – Payment Methods. A requestor may ask the district, and if requested the district shall provide, a summary of the applicable charges before any copies are made and the requestor may revise the request to reduce the number of copies to be made and reduce the applicable charges. The requestor shall pay for copies of public records by cash, check, or money order payable to the district. [Res. 783 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019; Res. 668 § 5, 2011.]