By: Libi Uremovic , September 13, 2013 | Original Article at Patch.com
On September 4, 2013 a Public Records Request was submitted to the Beaumont City Clerk for copies of specific Bond Fund Accounts. On September 11th a Letter signed by City Manager Alan Kapanicas states the costs for the Public Records Request at $500.00.
This is Incorrect.
The Bond Fund Account Monthly Reports submitted by Bond Trustee Union Bank are 2 pages long. The City charges $.25/page for copies. The Following is the correct charges for each Bond:
2011 Series A & B Area 17B – Seven (7) Accounts in question for 20 Months = $70.00.
2012 Series A Area 8C – Four (4) Accounts in question for 17 Months = $34.00
2012 Series B Area 20 – Four (4) Accounts in question for 16 Months = $32.00
2012 Series C Area 7B & 7C – Four (4) Accounts in question for 14 Months = $28.00
2013 Series A Area 19C – Four (4) Accounts in question for 7 Months = $14.00
2013 Series B Area 17A – Three (3) Accounts in question for 4 Months = $12.00
The total Records Request Expense for the Bond Fund Accounts is $190.00. A check for $300.00 will be submitted to the City to Beaumont to pay for the Bond Fund Accounts and the other items listed on the Public Records Request that past history shows the cost at less than $100.00.
Calculating the cost of a Public Records Request regarding financial information is a discussion between the City Clerk and the Finance Director, not the City Manager. The last Public Records Request the City Manager stated the cost at $150.00, but the cost was $80.00.
If the City Manager does not have the intellectual ability to accurately calculate the cost of Public Records then the duty should be performed by the Employees paid to perform the duty.