Howard County treasurer presents draft ordinance to charge $20 mobile-home permit fee; board takes it under advisement

Christie Branch, Howard County treasurer, presented a draft ordinance proposing that the treasurer’s office assess a $20 fee to prepare and issue State Form 78 for mobile-home title transfers. Branch said the fee would be deposited into the general fund and she hoped to use it to offset payroll costs in the treasurer’s office. She cited Indiana Code 6-1.1-7-10 and the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) form requirements as the legal basis for the proposal.

Branch said applicants would need to provide verification of the mobile-home manufacturer identification number and required documentation — the original state-issued title, a court order, or an affidavit of sale/disposal — before a permit could be completed, consistent with Bureau of Motor Vehicles procedures. The treasurer said other counties charge similar fees, generally ranging from $10 to $30 per permit.

Commissioners asked how the fee would be used and whether it would take effect before Jan. 1; Branch said the fee would go into the general fund and she would like to use it for payroll offsets where necessary. After brief questions, a motion was made and seconded to take the ordinance “under advisement” for further review; the motion carried without a recorded roll call.

Next steps: the board will revisit the draft ordinance at a future meeting before taking formal adoption action.