New position created in Idaho to review, improve public records process

Idaho Gov. C.L. Otter established an ombudsman, or public advocate, position in his office on Wednesday that will work to improve how the state government responds to public records requests.

Members of the Newspaper Association of Idaho worked with Otter’s staff to develop the executive order that established the position.

“In the interest of transparency, and in the interest of being responsive to public records requests without putting people in the position of suing us to get the information they want, a public records ombudsman in my office will be a kind of relief valve for the process,” Otter said. “While (Wednesday’s) order only immediately impacts the agencies, offices, boards and commissions directly under my authority, it also sets in motion a process that could lead to changes in Idaho law with a broader impact.”

The ombudsman will compile and maintain a list of concerns and complaints related to public records request process and will issue a report each year. The ombudsman will also track public record request denials, record the reasons for denial and calculate the cost of compliance with the Idaho Public Records Act.

Previously, the “sole remedy” for public record request denials was to file a lawsuit in state court. There should be a faster, easier and less expensive path, Otter said.

“This begins a process that I hope will prompt discussions at every level of government about our responsibilities and the importance of transparency to building public confidence in its institutions,” Otter said.

Cally Younger, an attorney in the Office of the Governor, has been named the state’s first public records ombudsman.