Dunbar, W. Va., charges $10-an-hour research fees

Two law students at West Virginia University are researching whether Dunbar city officials can legally charge the $10-an-hour research fee for filling FOI requests, in addition to the 35-cent-per-page photocopy charge, The Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette reported. The city said the fee is necessary because staffers are overwhelmed with requests; however, only six FOIA requests were filed since November.

Dunbar city officials have gotten six requests for information under the state Freedom of Information Act since November.

In January, members of Dunbar City Council decided to start charging a $10-an-hour research fee to look up public information to fulfill FOIA requests. City officials said the fee was necessary because employees in the city clerk's office were overwhelmed with requests for information.

City officials also charge 35 cents a page for photocopies.

More here.