25FC:0022 Steve St. Clair v. Winneshiek County and the City of Ossian - Final Report

The Iowa Public Information Board

COMES NOW, Alexander Lee, Agency Counsel for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Final Report:[1]

On February 22, 2025, Steve St. Clair filed formal complaint 25FC:0022, alleging that Winneshiek County (County) and the City of Ossian (City) violated Iowa Code Chapter 22.

The IPIB accepted this Complaint on March 20, 2025.

Background & Findings

On August 16, 2024, the complainant, Steve St. Clair, sent identical Chapter 22 requests to Winneshiek County and the City of Ossian, seeking communications sent and received by a particular official who held positions on both governmental bodies, who was also the primary official involved in responding to both requests. After initial communications about the request, a fee estimate was provided on October 6, 2024, which included a $500 deposit for both requests. Although St. Clair promptly paid both deposits, responsive records were not released until January 2025, following a further period of significant delay.

During the production period, St. Clair also identified additional concerns in the calculation of fees. The County, in its response, quoted a $100.00/hour fee for the official’s time, which included not only his salary, but also IPERS payments, health insurance, life insurance, and the depreciation of county equipment used in producing the records. The City, meanwhile, asserted that the responding official’s hourly rate was set at the official’s discretion, rather than his compensation.

Informal Resolution

Following mediation, all parties agreed to an Informal Resolution to resolve the complaint, which IPIB approved on May 15, 2025. Pursuant to that Informal Resolution, the following remedial actions were taken by both the County and City:

1. Both respondents acknowledged in open session that there were sufficient facts to support a violation of Chapter 22 based on unreasonable fees and unreasonable delay, including a statement IPIB prepared to be read aloud.

2. The Informal Resolution itself was formally approved at meetings of the respective bodies, with minutes from each meeting provided to IPIB staff.

3. Steve St. Clair received a full refund of fees charged.

4. All members of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors and the Ossian City Council attended IPIB trainings on Chapters 21 and 22, conducted on July 7, 2025 and August 4, 2025, respectively.

5. Both respondents also developed new records policies, which included revised fee schedules, retention and access requirements for public records located on private devices, and procedures for responding to incoming requests based on the requirements established in Belin v. Reynolds. First drafts were provided for these policies on August 20 and August 31, and additional revisions were made based on the recommendations of IPIB staff.

IPIB staff certify that Winneshiek County has satisfied its obligations under the Informal Resolution as of October 31, 2025, subject to a final vote by the Board of Supervisors to adopt the amended policy.

IPIB staff certify that the City of Ossian has satisfied its obligations under the Informal Resolution as of November 5, 2025, subject to a final vote by the City Council to adopt the amended policy.

Procedure

Steve St. Clair approved the Informal Resolution on May 3, 2025.

Winneshiek County approved the Informal Resolution on or about May 12, 2025.

The City of Ossian approved the Informal Resolution on or about June 2, 2025.

IPIB approved the Informal Resolution Report on May 15, 2025.

All terms of the Informal Resolution have been met. IPIB staff recommends this Final Report be adopted and the complaint be dismissed as resolved.

By the IPIB Agency Counsel,

_________________________

Alexander Lee, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on November 13, 2025, to:

Steve St. Clair, Complainant

Winneshiek County, Respondent

City of Ossian, Respondent