HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1972.03.02 - 15843March 2, 1972
RESOLUTION No. 5954
RE: SEPARATING OFFICES OF COUNTY CLERK AND REGISTER OF DEEDS
BY: MR. LENNON
TO: THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WHEREAS, the Michigan Constitution, Article VII § 4 grants
to the Board of Commissioners the power to "***combine the offices
of County Clerk & register of deeds in one office or separate
the same at pleasure."; and
WHEREAS, Oakland County has experimented with the combined
office since 1958 and is one of the few counties in the State to
have combined said offices; and
WHEREAS, the workload of both offices has expanded to
such an extent that a single administrative head cannot effectively
or efficiently supervise the operation of both offices: and
WHEREAS, the register of deeds is a Constitutional officer
and as such should be elected directly by the people; and
WHEREAS, the combining of the offices of Clerk-Register
of Deeds weakens the right of the people to select their public
officials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners, in the interests of efficiency and effec-
tive administration and to strengthen the democratic process,
exercises its prerogative under Article VII, §4 of the Michigan
Constitution and separates the offices of County Clerk and Regis-
ter of Deeds, effective as of Midnight. December 31, 1972.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I move the adoption of the foregoing reso-
lution.
r
VI7L %in
Bernard F. tennon
The resolution was referred to the Personnel Practices Committee.
There were no objections.