Director upholds West Valley City’s fee estimate; denies Randall’s request for waived GRAMA fees

The director of the government records office denied an appeal by petitioner Joshua (Josh) Randall seeking waiver of fees West Valley City estimated at $165 to produce records related to oversight findings about the city’s actions. City counsel Mr. Bunderson defended the estimate and said the request was broad and largely internal communications; he told the director the estimate reflected the staff hours required to compile and review the records.

Randall argued the request was narrow and that two independent oversight bodies had already found statutory violations, creating a continuing public interest in how the city responded. "The public deserves to know," Randall said, urging that disclosure would provide accountability and that requiring citizens to pay to uncover how government responded to confirmed statutory violations shifts the cost of accountability onto the victim.

Director Lonnie Pearson reviewed the submitted materials and relevant case law, including the Utah Supreme Court's Jordan River decision, and concluded GRAMA permits governmental discretion in fee waivers. While he acknowledged a public benefit existed, Pearson found the city reasonably weighed appropriate factors — including request breadth, taxpayer cost, and impact on services — and therefore did not act unreasonably in denying the waiver. The director denied Randall's appeal, stated he will issue a written decision within seven business days, and noted the 30‑day district‑court appeal right.