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Town clerk reports $2M in fees, turnover and upcoming charter-driven staffing change
Summary
The town clerk told the committee the office collects roughly $2 million in fees annually and costs about $660,000 to operate, returning an approximate $1.4 million surplus to the city; the clerk also noted significant staff turnover and that the charter change will make the clerk an appointed position going forward.
Mark Bernaki, town/city clerk, presented his office's fiscal profile and operational duties to the committee May 7, saying the clerk's office is a significant fee-for-service revenue source for the city.
Bernaki said the clerk's office collects a little over $2 million annually, with the conveyance tax and land recordings the largest revenue streams; the office's operating costs are roughly $660,000, which he described as returning about $1.4 million net to New Britain. He described a high rate of recent turnover (five of seven staff hired within the last year) and stated the city charter change will make the clerk an appointed, rather than elected, position in the future; the charter will require the clerk to be state-certified.
Bernaki also reviewed core duties (vital records, land recordings, licensing, records management) and noted investments in online services for vital statistics that increased convenience and fee revenue.
Council received the clerk's report and did not take formal action at the meeting; the clerk will remain part of the ongoing budget review.
