Source: http://www.archives.utah.gov/src/srcappeal-2010-12.html
Timestamp: 2015-05-27 23:53:45
Document Index: 336818153

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63']

Home / State Records Committee / Appeal Decisions 2010-2012 / Order
State Records Committee Appeal Decision 2010-12 BEFORE THE STATE RECORDS COMMITTEE OF THE STATE OF UTAH
R. K. SHIMABUKURO, Petitioner, vs. WEBER COUNTY, Respondent. DECISION AND ORDER
By this appeal, Petitioner, R. K. Shimabukuro seeks access to records including notes, drafts or similar materials prepared by Respondent, Weber County, Utah, (“Weber County”) supporting the County’s “Board of Equalization Decision” associated with the tax assessment of real property owned by Mr. Shimabukuro. FACTS
On or about February 26, 2010, Mr. Shimabukuro made a records request of Weber County pursuant to the Government Records Access and Management Act (“GRAMA”) for the above-referenced records. On April 15, 2010 and April 27, 2010, Weber County responded to Mr. Shimabukuro’s request, granting it in part, but also denying it in part. Weber County provided Mr. Shimabukuro a copy of the final appraisal report. However, Weber County withheld certain documents used by the appraiser with regard to the subject property owned by Mr. Shimabukuro pursuant to Utah Code Ann.§ 63G-2-305(1) and § 63G-2-309. Weber County also denied access to approximately 100 documents in the file based on its determination that documents contained in the file were “drafts,” and not records pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 63G-2-103(22)(b), or in the alternative, the “drafts” were protected records pursuant to § 63G-2-305(22). Mr. Shimabukuro has now filed an appeal with the State Records Committee (“Committee”). The issue heard by the Committee regarded the draft documents contained in the appraiser’s file. Having reviewed the materials submitted by the parties and having heard oral argument and testimony on June 10, 2010, the Committee now issues the following Decision and Order. STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR DECISION
5. At the hearing, Weber County argued that the “appraiser’s file” did not contain public records, but rather consisted of drafts and/or notes used by the appraiser in his analysis of the subject property. The County further argued such drafts and/or notes were for the “personal use” of the appraiser in producing his final “appraisal report.” 6. After hearing arguments from both parties, the Committee finds that the based upon a preponderance of the evidence, Weber County failed to show that the documents in question are either protected pursuant to Utah Code Ann §§ 63G-2-301(2)(g) or 63G-2-305(22). Further, the Committee is not convinced the documents contained in the “appraiser’s file” contain temporary drafts for the personal use of the appraiser and therefore, not records as defined by Utah Code Ann. § 63G-2-103(22)(b). Instead, the Committee is convinced that the documents associated with the “drafts” are public records and finds that the records should be released to Mr. Shimabukuro. ORDER
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT the appeal of R. K. Shimabukuro is granted and Weber County shall within ten (10) days provide Petitioner access to the records contained in the appraiser’s file, with the exception of proprietary “MLS” documents associated with the tax assessment of the real property owned by Petitioner. RIGHT TO APPEAL