Dunn County buys robotic total station as property recording and surveying activity rises

Dunn County register of deeds and land records staff reported increased real‑estate transactions in June and said the county has purchased a robotic total station to improve field surveying productivity.

Register of Deeds update: The register of deeds reported the office recorded 603 documents in June, up from 332 in January, and logged 174 ownership transfers for the month. The office also increased staff hours: Laurie Schneider’s position went from 30 hours to full‑time on June 2. The register said the office switched credit‑card vendors from AllPaid to VPS to lower per‑transaction service fees (from $3.99 to $0.95) and that the change has caused some complications as the office completes the transition.

Land records and surveying: A county surveying staffer reported nine certified survey maps submitted for June, including five new parcels created in the town of Elk Mound totaling about 53 acres. The county said it worked on 24 public land survey system corners and attended ERP and priority‑based budgeting meetings.

Equipment purchase: The survey office purchased a robotic total station for roughly $19,000. The presenter said the instrument automates the role of a second crew member (the “instrument person”), allowing one operator to control angles and distance measurements from a handheld interface and, in their vendor’s specification, operate remotely up to about 1,600 feet. The office told the committee the device is intended to improve efficiency and match current staffing levels rather than immediately reduce headcount.

Context and staff changes: Staff reported onboarding two new employees in June in land use and zoning functions: an enforcement officer/planner (Max Richards) and a zoning specialist (Tyler Ming). The county’s planning office also noted activity on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) inquiries and conditional use permits, and that rezoning questions (including a 300+‑acre annexation/rezone in Red Cedar mentioned by a supervisor) typically occur between landowners and municipalities and may not involve county action.

Ending: Committee members asked about equipment range, costs and how the robotic instrument would be used in the field; staff answered questions about vendor specifications and use‑cases and said they would monitor outcomes as the office integrates the new tool.