Subcommittee approves $24,000 revenue adjustment for Register of Deeds

The Revenues and Capital Expenditures Subcommittee voted to add $24,000 to the Register of Deeds projected revenue, a staff adjustment intended to bring 2026 estimates in line with recent 2025 document-fee activity.

Bauer, the staff presenter, told the committee the increase stems from two sources: the Register of Deeds requested an early overlap hire to replace a staff member retiring after 38 years, and a modest software expense tied to document production that the office recoups through fees. Bauer said those two items together make the adjustment roughly revenue-neutral for the county.

Chair Tom Southworth asked members to move the committee recommendation to the executive branch. The motion was moved and seconded and approved on a roll call. Recorded votes included Miles England (yes), Representative Smith (yes), Representative Gilmore (yes), Representative Johnson (yes) and Southworth (yes); Representative Turcotte voted no.

Bauer told members the Register of Deeds line was changed to $1,324,000 and that staff expect the additional document fees to offset the short-term cost of the early hire. The committee recommended the adjustment to the county executive for final action.

The subcommittee did not set a separate implementation date; staff said the recommendation will be transmitted to the executive branch for inclusion in final estimates and that any hiring timing remains subject to department practice and commissioner approval.