1.25.010 Intent.
A. Due to the burdensome nature and impact of maintaining a comprehensive public record index, the Snohomish Health District and its respective divisions and programs shall not maintain a comprehensive public records index. In the event a division or an individual program within a division does maintain such an index, it shall be made available for public inspection unless otherwise exempt from disclosure or made confidential by law.
B. For purposes of Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Health Information Manager is designated as the Public Records Officer of the Snohomish Health District to whom members of the public may direct requests for disclosure of public records and to generally provide daily oversight of public records requests. However:
1. The Public Records Officer may designate others to assist him/her in carrying out the day-to-day affairs of the Public Records Officer. Contact information calculated to provide notice to the public shall be posted and/or published by the Snohomish Health District.
2. Specific requests for records that are division or program related may be submitted directly to that division or program and/or to the Public Records Officer.
3. Anyone who makes a public records request may be required to fill out a written request form provided by the Snohomish Health District.
4. Requests for public records which, on their face, appear not to involve potential unreasonable invasion of privacy or consideration of specific exemptions provided by public disclosure laws or otherwise do not appear to be in conflict with potential confidentiality requirements and further, which do not otherwise appear to unduly burden the Snohomish Health District may be addressed in an informal manner at a division or program level as the circumstances merit.
5. A nonexclusive listing of potential laws exempting or prohibiting disclosure of public records is maintained by the Public Records Officer.
C. No fee shall be charged for inspection of public records or locating a public record. A reasonable charge may be imposed for providing copies of public records or for the use by any person of district equipment to copy public records, which charges shall not exceed the amount necessary to reimburse the Snohomish Health District for its actual costs directly incident to such copying. In determining the actual cost for providing photocopies of public records, the Snohomish Health District may include all costs directly incident to copying including the actual costs of the paper, and the cost for use of copying equipment, all costs directly incident to shipping such public records including postage, delivery charges, and the cost of any container or envelope used. Further, staff time to copy and mail the requested public records may be included in its costs. A deposit may be required where not prohibited by law. It is recognized that a particular division or program may have varying costs associated with public disclosure requests due to the unique nature of their records.
D. Snohomish Health District may establish and publish a more comprehensive public records policy not inconsistent with the resolution codified in this section and not inconsistent with applicable statutory laws, rules and regulations. [Res. 10-12].