Lake County OKs discretionary $5 title-fee increase after Clerk warns of operating shortfall

The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a discretionary $5 increase to the county title fee, a change the Clerk of Courts said is needed to replenish the Clerk of Court Title Account (CTA) and maintain services.

Carla Franklin, Lake County Clerk of Courts, told commissioners that House Bill 96 will raise the statutory title fee by $3 (from $15 to $18) and direct the $3 increase to the State Security Fund administered by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Franklin said the statute also allows counties to adopt an additional discretionary $5 so local commissioners can raise the total to $23; under that option Franklin said the clerk's office would retain $16.50 for most title work. "We're here today to consider [a] resolution that proposes a $5 increase to the title fee," Franklin said, noting the office processes about 230,000 titles annually and that dealer work accounted for about 86% of title work in 2024.

Franklin described rising operational costs (rent, utilities, security, employee salaries) and said the CTA funds digitization operations and other computer funds. She told the board she discovered a significant depletion of the fund upon assuming office and recommended the discretionary $5 increase to restore long-term viability; the transcript records she said that once the fund is replenished any agreed-upon excess can be transferred to the general fund pursuant to the Revised Code.

Commissioners praised Franklin's administration. The clerk recorded the roll-call as Commissioner Beveridge — Aye; Commissioner Plutchnick — Yes; Commissioner Reykovich — Yes. The resolution to increase the title fee passed.

Provenance: Clerk of Courts presented details during the Clerk of Courts item; roll call recorded after discussion.