Transactions in Register of Deeds office are another reflection of area growth

By Doug Stohlberg

Not that it was needed, but another measuring stick of the growth in St. Croix County has surfaced. It is the large increase of real estate documents recorded at the office of Kathleen Walsh, St. Croix County Register of Deeds.

In information released last week, Walsh reported that the number of documents recorded rose from 16,724 in 1997 to 24,278 in 1998, an increase of over 45 percent. Items include all documents relating to real estate transfers, including quick claim deeds, warranty deeds, land contracts, refinances, satisfactions and mortgages.

"This was far and away the biggest year in real estate deals," Walsh said. "And, 1999 looks to be on about the same pace. It demonstrates the rate at which the county is growing. New development is everywhere."

The activity in the office also generated a record amount of revenue in the Register of Deeds office.

The 1998 income was $1.2 million, almost double what it was in 1995. It was the first time the income in the office topped $1 million. Under various formulas, much of the income generated in the office goes to the state, but the office still managed to show a profit in 1998.

The Register of Deeds office budget for 1998 was $259,290. Nearly $700,000 of the $1.2 million income was paid to the state and nearly $100,000 to the county's Land Record Account. That account is used to modernize in-county land records. Despite those hefty payouts, the office still managed to return $168,914 to the county's general fund.

"We've had a surplus most every year, but it usually is in the $15,000 to $50,000 neighborhood," Walsh said. "The $168,914 was, by far, the most we've ever had."

The office generates income with various fees charged for documents. For instance, a transfer fee of $3 per $1,000 of real estate value is collected for each sale, 80 percent of which goes to the state. There are also fees for recording documents. The current fee is $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. All of the fees are set by state statute.

Walsh has five employees in the Register of Deeds office: First Deputy Paulette Orf, Vital Statistics Clerk Geri Campbell, Second Deputy Judith Newton, Second Deputy Beth Pabst and Second Deputy Sharon Fuller.

In addition to real estate and personal property records, the office is responsible for keeping vital statistics, including, births, deaths and marriages. The office also keeps records of military discharges.