Public Records Request Fees

At a glance

What: A resolution setting fees for public information requests to comply with revisions to Montana law (MCA 2-6-1006), replacing the City's 2016 fee resolution.
Outcome: Adopted 5-0 after a public hearing on October 5, 2026, repealing Resolution No. 20244.
Fee structure: First hour of staff time free, then up to $25 an hour, with a possible $5 filing fee; recovered costs go back to the departments involved. The resolution of intention also covered processing fees, recoverable direct costs and advance fee collection.

September 23 (administrative meeting): Clerk Clayborn explained the 2016 resolution no longer complies with state law. Gustafson asked about the impact. Mayor Dean asked whether the City can manage growing large and data-gathering requests under the $25 cap; Clayborn pointed to continued digitization through M-Files. No public comment.
September 28: City Attorney Dockter presented the resolution of intention for the Clerk's Office and asked to set the hearing for October 5. Logan moved, Rigby seconded; 5-0.
October 5 hearing: Clayborn presented. A written comment from Taylor Kriske Hall about a pending large records request was read into the record; Clayborn said such requests need extensive coordination and legal review and that this one remains in process. Gustafson stressed Montana's right-to-know laws; Rigby, Dockter and Dean voiced support and noted the staff time and privacy review involved. Logan moved, Rigby seconded; Reed, Rigby, Gustafson, Logan and Dean all aye (5-0).

Public hearing; resolution adopted 5-0 (Logan moved, Rigby seconded).

Resolution of intention approved 5-0; hearing set for October 5.

Clerk Clayborn briefed the fee structure; no action.