Even though you do pay taxes, the costs incurred by open records requests are usually passed on to the requestor, per the same legislation that makes the information available.

The cost is usually only for time spent gathering materials, copies made or technological assistance needed to gather the data (i.e., computer programming to gather disparate data). The usual form letter used to request information often includes a statement that any costs over a specified amount must be itemized and provided in an estimate prior to work being completed.

I, for one, appreciate Dallas.Org's efforts to keep our government honest. It's nice to see that occassionally government employees do the right thing.

Bidding for supplies and small items is more expensive and cumbersome than it's worth. Also keep in mind that many companies don't come back for repeat business with the City. The City takes too long to pay it's vendors. Some of these companies, like the ones that supply police cars, struggle to stay afloat while the City cogs of the payment machine grind slowly forward. Often, these vendors lose money on a profitable contract because of slow-pays by the City of Dallas.

It is the sad fact of government that to stay under budget is to guarantee that next year's budget will be smaller. If you needed that money, you'd have spent it, right?

[Ed Note: Oh, and just for the record, in 2005 and 2006, we paid over $4,000 for all open records requests we filed. I also spend countless hours putting these databases together. Thanks for the vote of confidence.]