How to File a Public Records Request in Pocatello, Idaho

What Is the Idaho Public Records Act?

The Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code §§ 74-101 through 74-126) establishes that all records maintained by government agencies in Idaho are presumed to be open and available for public inspection. The law applies to cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies alike. Any person — regardless of whether they live in Idaho — can request records under this law.

Public records include paper documents, digital files, emails, text messages, photographs, maps, and any other information maintained by a public agency in the course of official business. The Act covers virtually everything a city government produces or receives: building permits and inspection reports, city council meeting minutes, contracts with vendors, police and fire department records, and internal correspondence conducted on government systems.

Certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure, including personnel records (except salary and job title), active law enforcement investigation files, attorney-client privileged communications, and trade secrets. However, the burden of proving an exemption applies falls on the government agency — not on you, the requester. If the City of Pocatello denies your request, it must cite the specific statutory exemption that justifies withholding.

Read the full text of the Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code Title 74, Chapter 1 (§§ 74-101 through 74-126))

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Pocatello

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Pocatello uses the NextRequest online portal at cityofpocatelloid.nextrequest.com as its primary system for public records requests. This is the most efficient method — the portal allows you to submit a request, track its status, search over 1,000 prior requests, and receive responsive documents electronically. You may also email City Clerk Konni Kendell directly at kkendell@pocatello.gov or contact Deputy City Clerk Aubriana Resendes at aubriana.resendes@pocatello.gov or (208) 234-6215 for assistance. Mail or in-person requests can be submitted to City Hall at 911 N. 7th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83201. Note: while the City Clerk's Office handles all city public records including police and fire records, follow-up questions on police-specific requests should be directed to the Police Department Records Division at (208) 234-6110.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and contact information (email and phone number)
• A clear, specific description of the records you are seeking
• The approximate date range of the records, if applicable
• The relevant department, project name, property address, or document type
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copies)
• Whether you are willing to pay copying or research fees, and any maximum fee limit
• A reference to the Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code § 74-102) to formalize your request

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under the Idaho Public Records Act (Idaho Code § 74-103), the City of Pocatello must respond to your public records request within three (3) working days of receiving it if you are an Idaho resident, or within 21 days if you are not. This is a response deadline — the city must acknowledge your request and either provide the records, deny the request with a written explanation citing a specific statutory exemption, or notify you that it needs additional time to locate and compile the records.

If additional time is required, the City of Pocatello must provide records within 10 working days for Idaho residents, or 35 days for non-residents. The city cannot simply ignore a request — failure to respond within the statutory timeframe may itself constitute a violation of the Idaho Public Records Act.

Regarding fees, under Idaho Code § 74-102(10), no fee may be charged for the first two hours of staff labor or the first 100 pages of paper records requested by an Idaho resident. If a request exceeds either threshold, the city may charge the actual labor and copying costs. Fees must be itemized; no lump sum charges are permitted. Electronic records delivered via email are generally provided at no cost. The city must provide a fee estimate before processing a large request, and residents who can demonstrate their request serves a significant public interest and who cannot afford the fees may request a waiver.

If you are unsure about expected costs, contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 234-6217 before submitting a very broad request.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City of Pocatello denies your public records request, the denial must be in writing and must cite the specific exemption under Idaho Code that justifies withholding the records. A verbal denial or a vague reference to "confidentiality" is not sufficient under the law.

Common reasons for denial include: the records fall under a specific statutory exemption (such as personnel files, active law enforcement investigations, or attorney-client privileged communications), the request is too vague for the city to identify responsive records, or the city claims no responsive records exist. In each case, you have options.

If your request was denied as too broad, contact City Clerk Konni Kendell at (208) 234-6217 or kkendell@pocatello.gov, or Deputy City Clerk Aubriana Resendes at aubriana.resendes@pocatello.gov. Staff are often willing to help narrow a request to identify the specific documents you need. If the denial cites a statutory exemption, ask for the exact code section and evaluate whether the exemption truly applies — not all exemption claims are legally valid.

If the City of Pocatello fails to respond within three working days, that itself may constitute a violation of the Idaho Public Records Act. Follow up immediately in writing, cite Idaho Code § 74-103, and document the lack of response. A documented record of non-responsiveness strengthens any future legal action.

Under Idaho Code § 74-115, any petition to district court for judicial review must be filed within 180 calendar days of the mailing of the denial or partial denial notice. Do not let this window close if you believe the denial is improper — once the 180-day period expires, your right to judicial review of that specific denial is lost.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact City Clerk Konni Kendell at (208) 234-6217 or kkendell@pocatello.gov to discuss the denial and request written clarification on the cited exemption
2. Narrow and resubmit your request if it was denied as too broad or vague
3. Request a formal written denial citing the specific Idaho Code exemption if you have not yet received one
4. File a formal appeal with the Pocatello City Attorney's Office or the Mayor's Office at 911 N. 7th Avenue
5. File a complaint with the Idaho Attorney General's Office requesting review and an advisory opinion
6. File a petition in the Sixth Judicial District Court (Bannock County) to compel disclosure within 180 calendar days of the denial notice (Idaho Code § 74-115)
7. Under Idaho Code § 74-116, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and court costs to the prevailing party if it finds that the request or refusal to provide records was frivolously pursued

Types of Records You Can Request from Pocatello, Idaho

The Idaho Public Records Act covers virtually all records maintained by the City of Pocatello in the course of official business. As a mid-sized city with a university, regional airport, and active law enforcement and fire operations, Pocatello generates a wide range of public records across many departments. Here are common types of records that residents frequently request:

• Building permits, inspection reports, and certificates of occupancy
• Planning and zoning applications, staff reports, and commission decisions
• City council meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, and ordinances
• Contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and vendor agreements
• Emails and correspondence of city officials conducted on government accounts
• Police incident reports and arrest records (subject to exemptions for active investigations)
• Fire department inspection reports and incident logs
• Budget documents, financial statements, and annual audit reports
• Water and sewer connection records and utility billing data
• Code enforcement complaints and violation notices
• Subdivision plat maps, development agreements, and annexation records
• Public hearing notices and land use application materials
• Cemetery deed records maintained by the City Clerk
• City employee salary and compensation records (names, titles, and salaries are public)
• Pocatello Regional Airport records and lease agreements

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of Pocatello to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Pocatello