Department of Government Records issues mixed rulings in three GRAMA appeals

The Department of Government Records heard three administrative appeals on Sept. 18 and issued immediate rulings in all three matters.

Director Peterson denied Erin Larson's appeal about Orem City's GRAMA production, concluding the city had conducted a reasonable search and that attorney‑client privilege justifiably covered nine withheld documents. In the Woodward appeal against Sandy City, the director ordered the city to provide separate cost estimates for copying 10 body‑worn camera videos and for redacting videos that reveal investigative tactics, granting the appeal in part. In the Woods v. DEQ appeal the director performed an in‑camera review, ruled pages 1–6 are protected drafts and that the remainder were properly withheld as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, and denied the appeal.

Each party was told the director will issue written decisions within seven business days and that they have 30 calendar days to appeal to district court. The rulings include procedural directives — notably, an order to Sandy City to break out copying versus redaction costs so a requester can choose which production to fund — that may affect how local governments handle large video productions in future GRAMA requests.