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Register of Deeds requests full‑time staff; commissioners agree to short‑term tech‑fund bridge
Summary
The Register of Deeds requested a midyear full‑time position; commissioners debated using the office's technology fund versus general fund and agreed to fund the remaining ~$9,000 from the Register's tech fund for 2026 and to consider full funding in the 2027 budget cycle.
The Register of Deeds outlined a staffing shortfall and asked the commission to approve a full‑time position to handle an increasing workload tied to plats, surveys and expected development activity.
"Our workload has been increasing substantially," the Register told commissioners, saying the office had recorded 11 plats in one day and needs lead time to train staff. She proposed a new full‑time hire with a prorated 2026 cost of about $39,683 and an estimated $80,000 annual cost in 2027.
Commissioners questioned funding sources and timing. Several favored avoiding a midyear general‑fund increase and suggested using the Register's dedicated technology ("RO tech") fund to bridge the remainder of 2026. County counsel explained the tech fund may be used for salaries only where there is a "reasonable nexus" to technical duties (recording, maintaining, retrieving data), and staff said a portion of the new hire's duties could qualify.
After discussion commissioners agreed the Register could use $9,000 from the tech fund to cover the balance for the remainder of 2026 and the office would present the full $80,000 position as part of the 2027 budget process. Commissioners asked that the Register pursue internal budget adjustments where possible and submit a formal 2027 request.
Why it matters: The request tested statutory and practical limits on how elected offices may use dedicated funds midyear and highlighted operational strain in an office that must maintain statutory recording duties amid local development.
Next steps: The Register will proceed with internal PAF processing for the 2026 bridging arrangement using RO tech money; the full‑time position will be considered in the 2027 budget cycle.
Attributions: Quotes and claims in this article are from the Register of Deeds (speaking to commissioners) and commissioners' questions and staff counsel explanation in the transcript.
