Opinion ID: 4539973
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Copy Fee Schedule

Text: The plaintiff requested copies of certain documents from the city relating to the planning board and the TRG. The city charges a fee for making copies of city records or files: for black and white photocopies, the fee is fifty cents per page for the first ten pages and ten cents per page thereafter. At trial, the city presented evidence of fee schedules from New Hampshire municipalities that are similar to its own. The city manager testified that the city charges only for the cost of copying, not for the labor associated therewith, and that the cost of copying includes the cost of leasing copy machines, machine maintenance, capital costs, and the cost of paper. Based on his history and experience as finance director for the city, the city manager also testified that he believes the city is charging a reasonable approximation of the actual cost to the city for producing a photocopy, and that payments for copying are not a revenue source and do not produce a profit.