Register warns county will lose a portion of transfer-tax revenue after state change
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Summary
The Register of Deeds told commissioners a state legislative change will reduce the county's share of transfer-tax disbursements from 10% to 9.2%, a projected multi-thousand-dollar reduction; the office also proposed using surcharge funds to buy a new scanning (KIP) machine and to update microfilm services.
Register of Deeds Matthew (last name not specified) briefed commissioners on revenue and postage-year changes, saying his office came in over projected revenue for FY25 but faces revenue pressure from an imminent state change that reduces county transfer-tax disbursement.
He said the state adjusted the transfer-tax disbursement from 10% to 9.2% — a change the register estimated could reduce the county’s receipts by roughly $30,000 on the current budget, though he said the precise local impact will depend on property sales volume and statewide allocations.
The register also reported that deed-recording revenue year-to-date was up compared with the prior year and that surcharge fees would be lowered for some filings (from $35 to $25 in specified cases). He proposed using surcharge funds to purchase a replacement KIP scanning machine and to contract with a vendor to migrate microfilm to up-to-date systems; those projects are eligible to be paid from surcharge funds, he said.
Commissioners asked about timing and the state legislative timeline; the register said one provision takes effect this fall and other changes occur in January, and that exact impacts will become clear as the state implements the changes.
The register asked for guidance once the county knows final disbursement rules and said he will defer large purchases until the county can confirm surcharge levels and receipts.