Title
Recorder-Clerk recommending the Board adopt a Resolution increasing certain recording fees in accordance with the Recorder-Clerk's fee study of January 2010. (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
Resolution 028-2010
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the fee schedule; however, if the proposed fees are adopted, the Recorder will collect additional revenues, reducing the Department's Net County Cost. The potential additional revenue for FY 2009-10, assuming an implementation date of April 7, 2010, is approximately $109,000.
Background: Recording fees are generally prescribed by Government Code. Since 1972, the base recording fee for the first page of each document has been $3.00, pursuant to Government code 27361(a) . In 1984 $1.00 was added to that base fee to support, improve and maintain operation of modernized systems in the Recorder's office. On January 1, 2010 AB676 amended the statute and allowed for the recording fee to be set commensurate with the cost of delivering the service but not to exceed $10.00.
In addition, Government Code Sections 27361.2 and 27361.8 were amended to provide for the setting of fees to recover the "cost of service" for recording additional references to documents and additional groups of 10 names.
Reason for Recommendation: As indicated in the attached fee study, the County is subsidizing the recording and indexing of each document by $12.74 to record a basic document, $4.12 for each additional reference and, $12.49 for each group of 10 names after the first group. If the proposed fees are adopted by the Board, the County will continue to subsidize these activities, but to a lesser extent. A chart showing the current subsidy amounts and the subsidy amounts after the fee increase is attached.
This statute was changed in order to assure the continued operation of Recorder's Offices throughout the State of California. All counties are required to set new...
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