Committee approves forwarding proposed fee schedule changes, including e-recording and mail fees

The Richland County Executive Finance Committee on March 2025 voted to send a package of fee-schedule changes to the full county board, including an increase to a print fee to align with statute, new fees tied to credit-card payments and overnight mail, and a proposed $4 county share for electronic recording services.

Mr. Cooley moved to forward the fee schedule changes; Mr. Turk seconded. The committee advanced the package by voice vote; no roll-call tally appears in the meeting record.

A staff presenter described “Chemistry” as the county’s online service used by the public to look up property neighbors and related records; staff said the county’s print fee for that service had not been brought fully into alignment with state statute and the proposed increase corrects that discrepancy. The presenter said the e-recording software will charge a total of about $7 per transaction; the proposal would let the county keep roughly $4 of that fee as its share and the private vendor retain the remainder.

Staff also proposed a mail-service fee to offset actual postage and packaging costs for customers who request mailed copies. The presenter noted postage costs have risen and said a basic first-class mailing now costs roughly $0.73; the proposed fee is intended to offset, not to profit from, those costs.

Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about prior fee levels and how much of the $7 e-recording fee would accrue to the county; staff said the new fees are intended to recoup costs and to offer convenience options for residents. No amendments were offered.

The fee schedule package will go to the full county board for final action.