Register of Deeds Annie Wilson appeals to commissioners to restore travel and training funding

Annie Wilson, Bertie County Register of Deeds, told commissioners that modernization and training have allowed the office to provide online birth and death certificate services that have increased collections. "So far in birth and death that's on the online only, we have collected $20,578," she said, and described that her office now serves residents from neighboring counties because many surrounding counties do not provide the service.

Wilson asked the board to reconsider cuts to travel and training line items, noting new state training requirements for registries that will take effect in 2026 and that keeping staff certified requires travel to regional and national trainings. She said the service benefits residents who otherwise must travel out of county for certificates. The county manager and commissioners acknowledged her request and discussed restoring part of the travel allocation or finding alternate savings; staff later identified proposed reductions (governing-body travel and other line items) intended to narrow the overall budget gap.