Soap Lake sees large uptick of public records requests

City of Soap Lake Records Clerk and Soap Lake Police Department Administrative Assistant Jody Siebert said she has noticed a dramatic increase in public record requests in recent months, going from 26 in 2018 to 165 in the first four months of 2026.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | April 21, 2026 4:28 PM

SOAP LAKE — The City of Soap Lake is experiencing a upsurge in public records requests this spring, with dozens of inquiries pouring in from residents, reporters and outside agencies as the city navigates ongoing investigations, staffing changes and questions about financial oversight.

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