Number
221512
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BORKOWSKI
Title
Substitute ordinance relating to the per-page fee imposed for black and white photocopies of paper records.
Section
81-38.5-2 am
Analysis
This ordinance reduces the fee imposed for black and white photocopies of paper records from 25 cents to 15 cents per page and from 50 cents to 30 cents for double-sided copies.
Body
Whereas, In August 2018, the Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office released an advisory pertaining to copying costs under State Public Records law, reminding local governments that they may only charge copying fees for actual, necessary, and direct costs of making copies; and
Whereas, Prior to the 2018 Advisory, the Attorney General’s Office advised in opinions and in the public records compliance guide that photocopy fees should be around 15 cents per page; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Justice recently lowered its printing charge to 1 cent per page for black and white copies and 6 cents for color copies; and
Whereas, Per Section 81-38.5 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, the City charges 25 cents a page for single-sided copies and 50 cents a page for double-sided copies, with departments having the ability to waive or reduce the copying fees when in the public interest; and
Whereas, Some peer municipalities to Milwaukee have recently lowered their copying fees to approximately 5 cents per page; and
Whereas, Reducing the City’s per-page fee by 10 cents for single black and white photocopy paper records would not significantly affect the City’s revenues; now, therefore
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 81-38.5-2 of the code is amended to read:
2. The fee imposed by all departments for black and white photocopies of paper records not exceeding 8.5 inches by 14 inches in size shall be [[25]] >>15<< cents per page or [[50]] >>30<< cents per double-sided copy.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
__________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: ______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requester
Drafter
LRB177862-2
Alex Highley
1/31/2023