Lawrence Township Policy for Costs Associated with Video Records

Lawrence Township Records Request Form

All requests for video records submitted to Lawrence Township shall be subject to the following rules:

1. Anyone requesting a video record will be charged the actual cost incurred by the Township associated with preparing such video record(s).

2. Anyone requesting a video record is required to pay the estimated actual costs before the  Township will begin preparing a video record for inspection or production.

3. An estimate of the actual costs for production of a video record shall be provided to anyonerequesting a video record within five (5) business days of receipt of the public records request.

4. The Township will proceed with the preparation of a video record only after the estimated actual cost is paid in full by the requester. If the final actual cost exceeds the estimated actual cost, a the Township will charge a requester for the difference upon fulfilling a request for video record, insofar as the final cost does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the estimated actual cost.

5. For purposes of this policy, Aactual cost@ has the same meaning as set forth in R.C.149.43(B)(1). (Ver. Am. Sub. H. B. No. 315). The actual cost charged shall not exceedseventy-five dollars ($75.00) per hour of video produced, nor seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)total.

Reference:

R.C. 149.43(B)(1)

When considering whether a state or local law enforcement agency promptly prepared a video record for inspection or provided a video record for production within a reasonable period of time, in addition to any other factors, a court shall consider the time required for a state or local law enforcement agency to retrieve, download, review, redact, seek legal advice regarding, and produce the video record. Notwithstanding any other requirement set forth in Chapter 149. of the Revised Am. Sub. H. B. No. 315 135th G.A. 72 Code, a state or local law enforcement agency may charge a requester the actual cost associated with preparing a video record for inspection or production, not to exceed seventy-five dollars per hour of video produced, nor seven hundred fifty dollars total. As used in this division, Aactual cost,@ with respect to video records only, means all costs incurred by the state or local law enforcement agency in reviewing, blurring or otherwise obscuring, redacting, uploading, or producing the video records, including but not limited to the storage medium on which the record is produced, staff time, and any other relevant overhead necessary to comply with the request. A state or local law enforcement agency may include in its public records policy the requirement that a requester pay the estimated actual cost before beginning the process of preparing a video record for inspection or production. Where a state or local law enforcement agency imposes such a requirement, its obligation to produce a video or make it available for inspection begins once the estimated actual cost is paid in full by the requester. A state or local law enforcement agency shall provide the requester with the estimated actual cost within five business days of receipt of the public records request. If the actual cost exceeds the estimated actual cost, a state or local law enforcement agency may charge a requester for the difference upon fulfilling a request for video records if the requester is notified in advance that the actual cost may be up to twenty per cent higher than the estimated actual cost. A state or local law enforcement agency shall not charge a requester a difference that exceeds twenty per cent of the estimated actual cost.