PASCO, Wash. - The City of Pasco is considering an objective way to balance the process of public records requests after recent issues regarding its timely action fulfilling requests.
Monday night, the city discussed a proposal to prioritize and formalize requests into an express lane or slow lane.
Due to the increased volume and complexity of some of the requests, city workers say they do not have time to carry out some requests and other city functions.
The proposal would help to better allocate limited staff time.
Pasco's Deputy City Manager, Stan Strebel says the extra time trying to fulfill some of the requests is costing the city.
"I wish that this were an issue that were costing thousands of dollars or even ten's of thousands of dollars. I think we're well beyond that. We're pushing hundreds of thousands of dollars in impact to this community if this level of activity continues," he said.
The proposed resolution will set criteria to judge the resources and intent involved with the process of making a request and would amend the existing records policy.
The proposal is up for consideration at next week's city council meeting.
