Committee approves Register of Deeds budget request, discusses wage variance and revenue assumptions

The Dunn County Planning, Resources and Development Committee on Aug. 20 approved the Register of Deeds budget request for the 2026 planning cycle after a presentation by Register of Deeds Heather (last name not provided in the transcript) and discussion with county finance staff. Heather reviewed revenue lines: statutory vital records fees ($20 per certified copy) and $3 for additional copies; $30 statutory recording fee (county retains $15); transfer fees calculated at $3 per $1,000 of sale price (county retains 20%); and copy/remote access contract fees that offset software costs. She said the office issues roughly 5,000 certified copies annually and noted continued demand tied to Real ID needs. Finance director Dan explained the budget treatment of a countywide “wage variance,” a placeholder percentage removed from department salary/fringe totals to avoid over‑budgeting at the first budget phase. Dan said the wage variance is not applied at this phase and that the listed levy amount is a placeholder that may be adjusted later: “we don’t put any of that money in because that’s a determination to be made again this year as to how much, what the appropriate amount of wage variance is.” The transcript records a discussion about the magnitude of wage variance and how it is used to balance levy allocations across departments. Heather also described small recategorizations—shifting miscellaneous revenue into copy contract revenue—and modest operating adjustments (printing reclassified to office supplies; a $60 dues increase to cover Property Records Industry Association membership). The committee asked whether the Register of Deeds could raise fees; staff noted some limited discretion but adherence to statutory rates for certain items. A motion to approve the Register of Deeds budget request passed on a voice vote. Committee members asked staff to continue to clarify revenue projections and the application of the wage variance during upcoming budget workshops. No specific dollar ordinance or levy change was adopted at the meeting; the approval was for the budget request stage and will be revisited during broader budget discussions and workshops.