The Cullman city council is eyeing a new policy that would require citizens seeking access to public records to pay a fee for copies and potential clerical work to retrieve the documents.
Dubbed the “Setting Cost of Records by the City of Cullman” resolution, the new guidelines would charge .25 cents per page for copies and $45-per-hour for any clerical work that is necessary to retrieve, redact or review said documents.
The resolution also gives the city the right to collect an estimated cost of those fees in advance before pulling any requested files, then request the remaining costs or refund any overpayment once the documents are picked up.
The resolution was taken up by the council Monday night, but was tabled to allow members more time to review the proposed changes. The city currently has no policy in place to charge for documents, but has done so occasionally on a case-by-case basis in recent years. Public entities are exempt from this proposed change. These charges will also not be recovered from customers requesting copies of their own monthly billing information or correspondence to citizens by the City.
Cullman Mayor Max Townson said the policy is intended to recoup potentially high costs from pulling together extensive amounts of data, not punish curious citizens looking to keep a closer eye on local happenings.
“This isn’t meant for someone just coming in wanting to get a copy of the minutes from a council meeting,” he said. “Basically what we’re talking about is, if someone comes up and wants 500 pages, that involves a lot of time and effort and man power and material. We’re just talking about some type of fair compensation. We know there is a Freedom of Information Act, and we’re not trying to be restrictive, but if it’s a book that has to be printed we’d want to have people to agree to some type of compensation for materials.”
The council also:
Approved a request from Fire Chief Edward Reinhardt to purchase a gas stove with range for Fire Station #1 in the unbudgeted amount of $6,300.
Approved request from Police Chief Kenny Culpepper to purchase a mobile radar sign with mounting brackets in the budgeted amount of $3,774.
Referred a request from Austin Hall, Phil Tankersley, and Trent Lowery to rezone Lot 12 and Lot 13 of Block 5 in Edgewood Resubdivision from residential to commercial to the planning commission.
Awarded Bid R-01663 for various types of rock to the lowest responsible bidder, Good Hope Contractors of Cullman, Alabama.
Awarded Bid R-01664 for various types of concrete to the lowest responsible bidder, Kirkpatrick Concrete of Guntersville, Alabama.
Awarded a contract with CDG Engineers & Associates, Inc. to provide professional services related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Project Number HMGP DR (1971-486) - City of Cullman - Generators (3) PN 71-423 not to exceed $27,720.
Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
Top News
City council eyeing plan to charge fees for city records
- Top News
-
-
Cullman City Schools’ superintendent search: 5 finalists announced
The five finalists for the Cullman City Schools’ superintendent position has been announced.
-
CRMC has in house drill on abduction
Cullman Regional Medical Center participated in a child abduction drill Tuesday afternoon that left many visitors thinking the scenario was actually real.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Monday, June 17, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Monday:
-
‘Who do you want me to cut?’
The debate to increase the City of Hanceville’s sales tax from 8.5 to 9 percent to bring in additional revenue continued Thursday night, though no motion was made to move forward because the council remains deadlocked.
-
Sammie Danford appointed new United Way director
Following a recent search in the wake of former director Kasey Kearce’s resignation, the United Way of Cullman County has found its new director.
-
City schools’ superintendent finalists announced tonight
A list of at least five finalists to be the next Cullman City Schools’ superintendent will be announced tonight at a specially-called meeting.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
Sheriff’s Office diving team to have training session
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office diving team will have a diving session to recover an allegedly stolen vehicle Tuesday at Smith Lake Park, and will be introducing a sixth member to the diving team.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for June 14-16, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
-
Strong thunderstorms moving into area
A strong thunderstorm is on the move just south of Addison and moving into Cullman County, according to the National Weather Service.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
