A resolution to declare public disclosure indexing as unduly burdensome pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW
WHEREAS, RCW 42.56.070(34) requires all local agencies to maintain and make available a current index of public records; and,
WHEREAS, RCW 42.56.070(4) also states that a local agency need not maintain such an index if it would be unduly burdensome, and if so, an agency must issue and publish a formal order specifying the reasons why and the extent to which compliance would be unduly burdensome or interfere with agency operations; and,
WHEREAS, the RCW further provides that in spite of such an unduly burdensome order, all indexes maintained by the local agency must be made available as described in RCW 42.56.070; and,
WHEREAS, anticipated Upper Skagit Library (USL) revenues do not allow for additional staff members for the sole purpose of creating and maintaining such an all-inclusive index; and,
WHEREAS, the development and maintenance of a USL index would be extremely costly and would provide little benefit to the public when compared to the expense of creating and maintaining such a USL-wide index; and,
WHEREAS, USL’s records are diverse, complex, and stored in multiple computer systems, formats, and/or databases, making it difficult if not impossible to maintain an accurate, all-inclusive index; and
WHEREAS, USL has an established Public Records Policy for assisting people who request public records and a practice of providing public records upon request in accordance with chapter 42.56 RCW;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that based on the findings set forth above and pursuant to RCW 42.56.070, the Board of Trustees of the Upper Skagit Library do hereby order and direct:
1) The Upper Skagit Library is not required to maintain a current index of public records due to the above findings that the requirement is unduly burdensome, costly, and that such a list would be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain, and would interfere with USL’s operations; and,
- 2) The Upper Skagit Library shall make available for public inspection and/or copying all non-exempt public records and any indexes of public records maintained by USL pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW.
ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Upper Skagit Library Board of Trustees this 21 day of November 2024.
