Accomplishments - 2007 to present:
In 2007 at the Weber County Republican Nominating
Convention I stated; "A vote for me is a vote to reduce county
expenditures, protect and preserve your individual land rights and to continue,
"A Legacy of Trust" in county
government." It is only
appropriate to give you a report on what has been done to keep that commitment.
Reducing county expenditures:
Eliminated duplication. The county commission decision to consolidate the offices has provided an opportunity to consolidate the budgets of both offices and as a consequence I have eliminated duplication of budget line items thereby reduced operating costs. Since 2007 the operating expenses of the office have been reduced approximately $27,000.
Eliminated duplication. The county commission decision to consolidate the offices has provided an opportunity to consolidate the budgets of both offices and as a consequence I have eliminated duplication of budget line items thereby reduced operating costs. Since 2007 the operating expenses of the office have been reduced approximately $27,000.
Salary expenditures. When I took office the economy was in full swing but the crash of 2008 was just around the corner. The work load of the recorders office was reduced by almost half. With the reduction in work and through attrition the budget has been kept at the same level it was in 2007 in spite of cost of living increases. This has been done through conservative management.
Generated revenue. In
2007 we launched a "Web Application" that Title Companies use at their
offices to do their research work. Access to this service is by
subscription currently we have over 500 companies from across the nation that
subscribe with an annual income of around $150,000.
Environmental sensitivity.
Although we recycle paper that is used in the day to day operations of
the office, I have been working toward a paperless recording
process which, when fully implemented will reduce our annual paper costs
significantly. The use of electronic recording
technology is key in the reduction of paper usage, the recorder has been using
such technologies for several years and in 2010 another electronic vendor has been
added. This has reduced the number of
paper documents being recorded. In 2009, we have started to recycle and resell spent printer
cartridges, the proceeds are provided as a credit toward office supplies.
Quality and safety.
It can be a difficult task at times to balance the costs of operating
and accomplishing our legal obligations to the public. The legislature passes laws that impose
requirements on the offices which cost the county money without providing
funding. While this places an additional
burden on the office, we are able to use technology and training to better
accomplish our responsibilities without an increase in budget. The use of technology and training provide a
more efficient and safe working environment for the staff and as a result saves
the county money.
Protect and preserve your individual property rights:
Title records. The
Recorder's office primary function is the protection of land title records and
to make those records available to the public.
I have made several policy changes that make it easier to find recorded
documents. In the 2010 Legislative
session a bill was passed that clarifies the requirement of the recorder to
abstract, in the tract index, all documents to the tract of parcel which they
may affect. Because I have previously
made changes in policy my office was already in compliance with this new law.
Mapping improvements.
I have implemented GIS mapping (Geographic Information Systems)software in the Recorders office that
will improve the accuracy of the ownership plats which the office is required
by law to maintain for the Assessor. This technology merges recorded documents and survey data into a seamless product. My degree in drafting and experience in
surveying has been a key factor in implementing this new
technology. Additionally, the use of
aerial photography in the recorders mapping processes is being utilized. These improvements in
mapping will ensure that the assessment records of the office are more accurate
than they have ever been.
Survey control. The Surveyors
office primary function is to protect the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) which
controls the location of boundaries and title of private property. Every year road and utility work destroys these monuments
but through the use of GPS and other modern technologies we are able to
maintain and perpetuate the position of critical control monuments. The monuments that we are mandated to
maintain by law are High Accuracy Reference Networks, geodetic triangulation
control, Public Land Survey Monuments, City and County Street Monuments, and
Elevation Benchmarks. All of which are
used to identify the location of your property and public streets.Roads and streets. While the county surveyors office cannot survey private property lines there are government properties that we are legally obligated to survey. One of our statutory responsibilities is the establishment of roads. With the amount of roads in the county this can be a large task for a small survey office with one survey crew, however, we are still able to survey and monument county roads and city streets and maintain the existing monuments which we are legally required to do.
Legislation. Each year the legislature considers many bills that affect your property and some are good and others are not. I have testified before legislative committees and discussed with our representatives and senators in your behalf, bills that will have an effect on individual property rights. My expertise in property rights is recognized by legislators, attorneys, surveyors and title officers and my opinion in title and survey matters is solicited by them.
Leadership. I have
been trusted with leadership positions.
- Being elected by the Recorders Association as Secretary in 2011, as Vice President in 2012, and President in 2013. I am also the Chair of the Cadastral Mapping Committee for the County Recorders Association and as such teach the staff of recorders precise mapping.
- I have served on the Utah Association of Counties (UAC) Board of Directors from 2008 to 2013.
- I have also been appointed for a second term as a member of the Weber County Boundary Commission.
- I have served on the Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) board of directors for nearly 10 years. I have also served as the President of the UCLS in 2013.
- I have also been appointed to the State Records Committee by Governor Gary Herbert.
Recognition awards.
- 2005 UCLS Surveyor of the Year
- 2009 County Surveyor of the Year
- 2011 County Recorder of the Year
- 2013 Certified Recorder Public Official
At Weber County as Chief Deputy I learned the workings of county budgetary processes by preparing and balancing budgets and being involved in managing expenditures and reducing costs. As County Surveyor and now as County Recorder/Surveyor. I have been in charge of a staff of 24 employees, managed budgets in difficult economic times, and brought about positive change to the functions of the office. I have also managed office and field operations, prepared OSHA complaint policy and procedure documents, provided State approved training and personally taught cadastral mapping classes to the staff.
Qualified! I have the
experience, knowledge, qualifications, licensing and leadership to provide
Weber County quality surveying and trusted title and land records.
