SWEETWATER COUNTY– After another discussion about the iDoc Marketplace at Tuesday’s Sweetwater County Commissioner meeting, Cindy Lane, Sweetwater County Clerk, is to seek discussions and possible compromise with concerned residents.
When the online system for viewing public records was upgraded late last year, the residents who use the program most often were suddenly faced with user fees. The subscription fees include a $10 daily fee, $50 weekly, $150 monthly or $1,500 yearly for private or business use.
Two main complaints were made when the fees were implemented, which were that the fees were too steep, and that the fees were applied without any notice.
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Lane has explained that Tyler Technologies rolled out the upgraded program earlier than it was supposed to, which made it so she could not give 45-day notice to the community like she wanted to. She has also explained that the fees were applied as a way to recapture costs of the upgraded program.
At the February 18 commissioner meeting, Lane gave a presentation with Tim Knight, County IT Director, and John DeLeon, County Deputy Attorney about the iDoc system. In their presentation, they said the upgrade costed $5,455, and the annual subscription cost will be $3,355.
Taxpayer Responsibility?
Lane has previously said that users of the program should have some sort of buy in to show the importance of the service to them. She added that it is her job to look after all of her constituents and therefore she does not think the program should be supported by tax dollars, but instead by subscription fees from users as much as possible.
Jeremy Inman, local 3D imaging company owner, said he “believes firmly in the system of representative government,” and that when the residents elected the commissioners, they elected them to represent the community’s interests.
He said that even if people aren’t using the program, the service is still available to them.
“There was something said at the end of the presentation about, if people are interested in this then they’ll pay a fee. But my concern as a citizen of Sweetwater County is that I showed interest in this when you guys cast your vote, when you instituted iDoc in 2011. That was my interest, that was everyone in this county’s interest,” Jeremy said.
Mikaela Inman, local realtor and 3D imagine company owner, questioned why the realtors, title companies, surveyors, and other users of the iDoc Marketplace should have to be the only ones paying for the service when the county offers other online services free of charge.
“If you have registered your vehicle, obtained a marriage license, paid your taxes, bought a home, car, or had any interaction with this courthouse since 2011, then you’re benefiting from the tax dollars Ms. Lane feels should be only the responsibility of those who use it,” Mikaela said. “All of these services mentioned require the same integrated software company, Tyler Technologies.”
Recapturing Costs vs. Double Taxing
Jeremy said that one of the reasons Lane gave for the fees was that other counties and states have implemented fees to recapture costs. However, he said that doesn’t make the fees right.
“Just because 14 counties have not stood up against these fees doesn’t make it right. And I do think they’re wrong because you’re essentially charging a fee my tax dollars have already paid for, so that is the issue,” he said.
He said he understands the county has a right to recapture costs but that he believes they are trying to make money on accessing public records.
“If the public had been given a 45 day opportunity to speak about these fees, it might be different,” Jeremy said.
DeLeon explained that applying an additional fee is not double taxing and reiterated that iDoc simply allows people to view public records remotely and users are paying for that convenience, not the records themselves.
Finding a Solution
The commissioners asked Lane if she had any recommendations for moving forward, to which she said she would like to speak with the president of the Realtor’s Association and figure out a compromise.
Lane explained that once Mikaela and Mandy Camphouse Allred, local realtor, sought guidance with an attorney, she could no longer speak openly about iDoc, as it was in the hands of legal representation.
However, she said she would now like the opportunity to have discussions with the Realtor’s Association.
One concerned resident explained that it’s not just realtors who are affected, so that does not address the issue in its entirety.
Commissioner Lauren Schoenfeld said she has been approached by many realtors and individuals in the past few weeks who are upset that the fees are even being argued as an issue. She said some of these people don’t feel comfortable coming to a public meeting to share their opinions, but they deserve the opportunity to have individual conversations with Lane.
“There’s been conflicting stories coming from all different sides. That’s not helpful to anyone. Cindy has not been able to speak on many of these things, not only because it’s a County Commissioner meeting, but also because there’s the legal aspect of it,” Schoenfeld said.
Schoenfeld added that they need to allow the fees to take the time to “have an impact or not have an impact,” as it has only been three months since they were implemented.
“Cindy’s an elected official for a reason, she was elected by our community, we have to allow her to do her job,” Schoenfeld said.
Chairman Randy Wendling said because of the legal involvement, conversation hasn’t been able to take place. However, he said he believes now the county and residents can start over and look for a solution together.
“I think the door’s open now, at the request of your elected clerk, to be allowed to sit down and freely gather and look at the fees and see what can be done,” Wendling said.
— SweetwaterNOW.com to www.sweetwaternow.com
