DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - Dubuque County officials are considering whether to eliminate the county recorder position to save money, a move that’s been rejected in other parts of Iowa by critics questioning the real cost savings.
The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors said a consolidation of duties into other county offices and getting rid of an elected position could save taxpayer dollars, the Telegraph Herald reported (https://bit.ly/1foMmfK ). The supervisors met Monday to discuss the issue.
The county recorder’s office maintains marriage and birth certificates, property records and other vital documents.
Kathy Flynn Thurlow is retiring as county recorder this December, after 22 years. She said she doesn’t support the idea and added that other counties have rejected similar proposals because they determined it wouldn’t save them money.
“I don’t think the supervisors have researched this thoroughly,” she said. “To my knowledge, there is no cost savings. Quite a few other counties have looked at it and just right out rejected it.”
Supervisors have asked County Attorney Ralph Potter to look into the legal steps necessary to consolidate the office. The recorder is paid about $68,000 annually, but it’s unclear if that’s how much money would be at stake. It’s possible the county auditor or treasurer could be paid more to handle the extra workload. It’s also unclear if other positions within the office would be eliminated.
“Is it a cost savings? That’s the first thing (we have to ask),” said Supervisor Chairman Wayne Demmer. “If we’re going to have to pay somebody more, how much more?”
Demmer said the move would require a referendum and community support. Only two other Iowa counties, Marshall and Woodbury, have used citizen referendums to eliminate their recorder positions. Officials for both counties say the move has worked. But Marshall County Supervisor Deane Adams said there’s a loss.
“Here’s what you lose - you lose input from an elected official,” he said. “It’s not (just) whether you get the job done … My personal opinion is, if somebody runs for that recorder’s office, and they’re an asset to that county, it’s a whole lot better to pay that person.”
Officials in Dubuque County said the proposal is preliminary and would probably not be on the ballot in November. Demmer said it would be up to citizens to collect the necessary signatures for a last-minute referendum.
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Information from: Telegraph Herald, https://www.thonline.com
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