HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-034 Adopting Fees for the Staff Time Associated with Redacting Port Townsend Police Department Body Worn Camera Footage Requested Pursuan to Public Records Act RequestsRESOLUTION NO.25-034
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
ADOPTING FEES FOR THE STAFF TIME ASSOCIATED WITH REDACTING PORT
TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT BODY WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE
REQUESTED PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS
WHEREAS, the Port Townsend Police Department implemented a Body Worn
Camera Program in 2019; and
WHEREAS, body worn camera recordings are public records subject to Chapter
42.56 RCW, the Washington State Public Records Act; and.
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 42.56.240(14)(f), law enforcement agencies are
permitted to charge requestors not exempted under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) the reasonable
costs of redacting videos prior to disclosure; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend analyzed a 2017 Body Worn Video
Redaction Cost Study completed by the Seattle Police Department, which determined the
amount of time it takes to redact such footage, and multiplied that amount of time by the
Police Clerk's staff salaries to determine the "reasonable cost" for such redactions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to adopt a Port Townsend Police Department
fee that will allow the City to recover the cost of actual staff time incurred by the City for
redacting body worn camera recordings;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend do hereby
resolve as follows:
Section 1. Police Department Fee Schedule. The Port Townsend Police
Department will charge requestors not exempted under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) for the
actual staff time cost incurred for redacting body worn camera footage at the rate of $0.50
per minute. This fee will be amended each year based on actual staff salaries. The City
Clerk is authorized to increase or decrease the per minute fee based on actual staff salaries
and update the fee schedule.
Section 2. Effective Date. This resolution and the fee schedule contained herein
shall be effective as of January 1, 2026.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting this
15th day of December, 2025.
Resolution 25- Adopt Fee for Body Worn Camera Footage Redaction
Attest:
1 0. Lie
C 1 Clerk
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Resolution 25- Adopt Fee for Body Worn Camera Footage Redaction