Public Records Request Policy

Revised: September 9, 2025
Effective: July 1, 2025

Authority: Idaho Code §§ 74-101 to 74-126, titled the Idaho Public Records Act (the “IPRA”) including amendments under House Bill 253(2025).

1. Purpose
To ensure public access to governmental records as provided by the IPRA.
2. Priority
If any provision of the IPRA conflicts with this Policy, the IPRA shall prevail.
3. Definitions
•    Public Record: Any record containing information related to the conduct or administration of the public’s business, prepared, owned, used, or retained by the County, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
•    Resident: A natural person domiciled in Idaho for at least 30 continuous days (excluding out-of-state students), or a domestic entity registered under Idaho Code§30-21-102.
•    Nonresident: Any person not meeting the above definition of “resident.”
•    Requester: The person submitting a request for public records.
•    Custodian: The County official, employee, or designee with control over the requested records.
•    Writing: Includes all forms of recorded communication, including paper, electronic formats, audio, and visual media.
4. Right to Examine and Copy Records
Every person has the right to examine and take a copy of any public record, except those exempted by law.
5. Submitting a Request
Requests must be submitted in writing and include specific details. The County provides a public portal on its website to assist in submitting a request. All requests must:
•    Describe the records sought with detail (subject, date range, format)
•    Include requester’s full contact information
•    Include a sworn declaration of Idaho residency status if the Requester is a Resident.
6. Response Timeframes
The County will respond to requests based on the requester’s residency status:
Residents:
•    Within 3 working days, up to 10 working days (with written notice)
Nonresidents
•    Within 21 calendar days, up to 35 calendar days; longer with justification
Failure to respond within the applicable timeframe will be treated as a denial. If an electronic record requires format conversion that cannot be completed within the deadline, the custodian will notify the requester and make a good faith effort to agree to a mutually acceptable timeframe.
7. Fees and Cost Recovery
‍In accordance with applicable Idaho law, fees shall be charged as follows:
Idaho Residents:
•    No fee for first two (2) hours of most employee labor.
•    No fee for first one hundred (100) 8.5"x11" paper pages unless otherwise provided by applicable law, regulation, or court order.
•    Fees for additional time shall be charged at actual cost using lowest paid qualified staff able to fulfill the request from each responding department.
•    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total cost of redaction labor to remove exempt or nonpublic language shall be charged at actual cost using the lowest paid qualified staff able to perform the work from each responding department.  
Non-Idaho Residents:
•    All time and materials used by the County to fulfill a request from a Non-Idaho Resident are subject to fees. Fees may include actual labor, copying, conversion, redaction, and/or third-party costs at County discretion.
All Requesters:
•    Fees shall be itemized when invoiced.
•    Advance payment of the estimated cost of labor and/or materials to fulfill the request may be required.
•    Should the estimated advance payment exceed the actual cost(s), the difference will be refunded.
8. Preventing Fee Avoidance
‍Bonneville County may aggregate multiple similar requests from a requester if they appear intended to avoid fees.
9. Exemptions and Denials
Certain records may be exempt from disclosure. Denials or partial denials must be provided in writing and include:
•    The statutory basis for the exemption.
•    Confirmation of legal review or waiver thereof.
•    Appeal instructions and timelines.
10. Custodian Designation and Oversight
Each County department shall designate a records custodian responsible for managing public record requests and ensuring compliance.
11. Format and Accessibility
Records that exist in electronic format will be provided in that format if requested.
12. Review and Revisions
This policy may be reviewed as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with Idaho Code.