Kosciusko County Commissioners agreed to establish a higher fee used by the county recorder’s office for providing copies of bulk data.
The fee rate is part of a state overhaul of fees charged by county recorders across the state after the General Assembly adopted a law that simplifies the fee structure.
The new policies take effect next week.
The law allows recorders some leeway on the charge for bulk form copy fees with a range of 10 to 20 cents that counties can set.
Recorder Joetta Mitchell had proposed setting the rate at 15 cents so that they have some “wiggle room” in the future to adjust the fee.
The existing fee has been 7 cents.
Mitchell said they have determined the cost of providing copies is about 27 cents when the cost of equipment and supplies are considered for all copies made in the office.
The estimate does not include the cost of labor, she said.
Mitchell said they have about four companies that seek bulk data from the office. Much of it involves mortgages and property titles. She said the firms typically seek a month’s worth of information at a time, mostly by digital image or using compact discs.
Commissioner Bob Conley said he thought the rate should have been 20 cents since the county is still losing money in providing the service.
Mitchell said Wednesday that she envisions increasing the rate in the future.
Commissioner Ron Truex made the motion to approve the rate at 15 cents.
