Clerk and recorder presents preliminary budget; recording-fee change noted

Chair called the Lincoln County budget hearing to order and opened review of the clerk and recorder’s proposed general-fund budget. The presenter said salary and benefit lines are preliminary pending the county salary committee and any cost-of-living adjustment, and several personnel lines "are subject to change."

The clerk and recorder said routine supplies are largely consistent with prior years but noted one change: "the security paper is something that's simply changed. It was provided at the... For the vital records, we are purchasing it from the state." She also described contracted services that remain in the budget, including printing and surveyor costs.

On revenue, the presenter told commissioners that a 2025 legislative change altered recording fees and that the new structure (effective in October) raised the per-page rate: "As of October, we went from $8 per page for recording to $20 for the first page and 10 for each additional page." She said, however, that she did not anticipate a large change to recording-fee revenue for the next fiscal year.

The clerk also said planning fees for land reviews and surveys remain steady but that addressing work was down after fewer subdivision approvals this year; commissioners noted several preliminary plats that could increase workload later. Chair said staff will wait for final wage and contribution figures before finalizing budgets. No formal motions or votes occurred during this item; the board recessed and resumed with the next department at 10:15 a.m.