The Helena City Commission voted 5-0 on September 29 to approve a resolution of intention to update the city's public records request fee schedule, setting a public hearing for October 5, 2026. The vote triggers a formal process to replace a fee structure that City Attorney Doctor told commissioners is now out of compliance with state law.
The existing resolution governing public records fees — Resolution 20244, adopted in 2016 — has not kept pace with changes to Montana Code Annotated 2-6-1006, which governs how public agencies may charge for records requests. The proposed new resolution is intended to bring Helena's fee schedule into alignment with current state requirements.
The public hearing set for October 5 gives Helena residents an opportunity to weigh in before the commission takes final action. Public records request fees affect anyone who submits formal requests for city documents, from journalists to attorneys to private citizens researching property or government decisions.