26FC:0006 Jacob Hall vs. Sioux Center Library - Informal Resolution Report

Iowa Public Information Board

On January 5, 2026, Jacob Hall (“Complainant”) filed formal complaint 26FC:0003, alleging that the Sioux Center Library (“Respondent”) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.

The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on February 19, 2025.

Facts

Complainant alleged that Respondent declined to fulfill public records request unless he used a specific form and he was charged unreasonable legal fees in violation of Chapter 22.

Law

“Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record. Unless otherwise provided for by law, the right to examine a public record shall include the right to examine a public record without charge while the public record is in the physical possession of the custodian of the public record. The right to copy a public record shall include the right to make photographs or photographic copies while the public record is in the possession of the custodian of the public record. All rights under this section are in addition to the right to obtain a certified copy of a public record under section 622.46.” Iowa Code 22.2(1).

“All reasonable expenses of the examination and copying shall be paid by the person desiring to examine or copy. The lawful custodian may charge a reasonable fee for the services of the lawful custodian or the custodian’s authorized designee in supervising the examination and copying of the records. If copy equipment is available at the office of the lawful custodian of any public records, the lawful custodian shall provide any person a reasonable number of copies of any public record in the custody of the office upon the payment of a fee. The fee for the copying service as determined by the lawful custodian shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the service. Actual costs shall include only those reasonable expenses directly attributable to supervising the examination of and making and providing copies of public records. Actual costs shall not include charges for ordinary expenses or costs such as employment benefits, depreciation, maintenance, electricity, or insurance associated with the administration of the office of the lawful custodian.  Costs for legal services should only be utilized for the redaction or review of legally protected confidential information. However, a county recorder shall not charge a fee for the examination and copying of public records necessary to complete and file claims for benefits with the Iowa department of veterans affairs or the United States department of veterans affairs.” Iowa Code 22.3(2).

Analysis

The parties both expressed a desire to remedy the notice error through an informal agreement.

Pursuant to Iowa Code §23.9, the parties negotiated and reached an informal resolution.

The parties agreed to the following terms:

1. The Respondent acknowledges its public record policy needs to be updated to be in compliance with Chapter 22 requirements.
2. The Respondent will update their fee policy and provide a copy to IPIB for feedback.
3. The Respondent will provide documentation to IPIB showing that the updated policy has been adopted or approved by the library board or other authorized individual or body.
4. The Respondent agrees to recalculate the records fee to remove the legal fees.  The Respondent will refund $72.25 and submit a receipt to IPIB when this is complete.
5. The librarian will attend a Chapter 22 training if they have not already, and submit a copy of the certificate to IPIB.
6. The parties agree that the library has provided the records requested on March 31, 2026.
7. The Respondent will provide documentation to IPIB showing that this agreement has been approved by the authorized individual or body.

Complainant approved the informal resolution terms on April 8, 2026.

Respondent approved the terms of the informal resolution on May 18, 2026.

The IPIB staff recommend the IPIB approve the Informal Resolution Report.

By the IPIB Deputy Director

_________________________________

Charissa Flege

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on May 18, 2026, to:

Jacob Hall, Complainant

Sioux Center Library, Respondent