Recorder moves copy-fee revenue to general fund after May fee change; travel to national conference approved

Recorder Karen told the Tax Election GIS Committee on June 17 that the county’s May 9 ordinance raised the standard document recording fee to $100 and that the change has been implemented with few complaints.

Karen said the office has rejected some documents for incorrect amounts but otherwise the transition “has been going very well.” She reported the office recorded 1,173 documents in May and that from Dec. 1 through May the office recorded 6,750 documents, an increase from a year earlier.

Citing guidance from state statute and an internal review tied to the fee change, Karen said copy fees that historically flowed to the recorder’s equipment fund will now be directed to the county general fund. She said the change reflects how other counties treat in‑office copy sales and that some electronic-copy fees tied to subscription services (Laredo) will remain with the recorder as required by statute.

Financial figures Karen provided for May: general‑fund receipts of $128,063.75, equipment‑fund receipts of $42,434.82 and GIS receipts of $49,491; expenses for the month were $72,313.67 (general) and $57,184.26 (equipment). She also reported 560 veterans and 34 businesses enrolled in the office veterans program after outreach at a May Veterans Expo at the Illinois Valley Airport.

Karen requested and the committee approved out‑of‑state travel for the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA/PREA) conference in Tacoma, Washington. She asked for $1,711.72 to attend; Jill Bernal moved the travel approval, Nancy Urich seconded, and a roll-call vote approved the expenditure.

Why it matters: Moving copy‑fee receipts to the general fund shifts where revenue is booked and may affect equipment-fund balances and capital planning; the recorder said staff will reflect the change in future budgets.

Committee action: The committee accepted the recorder’s report and approved the travel request by roll-call vote.