(1) Cost. Calculating the actual costs of charges for providing public records is unduly burdensome because it will consume scarce college resources to conduct a study of actual costs, and it is difficult to accurately calculate all costs directly incident to copying records, including equipment and paper costs, data storage costs, electronic production costs, and staff time for copying and sending requested records. Instead of calculating actual costs of charges for records, the college president or designee shall establish, maintain, and make available for public inspection and copying a statement of costs that the college charges for providing photocopies or electronically produced copies of public records, and such charges for records shall not exceed the maximum default charges allowed in RCW 42.56.120 (2)(b). The college may also use any other method authorized by the Public Records Act for imposing charges for public records including, but not limited to, charging a flat fee, charging a customized service charge, or charging based on a contract, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement with a requestor. The college may waive charges assessed for records when the public records officer determines collecting a fee is not cost effective.

(2) Payment. Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order to Lake Washington Institute of Technology. The college may require a deposit in an amount not to exceed ten percent of the estimated cost of providing copies for a request, including a customized service charge. If the college makes a request available on a partial or installment basis, the college may charge for each part of the request as it is provided. If an installment of a records request is not claimed or reviewed, the college is not obligated to fulfill the balance of the request. The college will close a request upon thirty days when a requestor fails by the payment date to pay in the manner prescribed for records, an installment of records, or a required deposit.