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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.04.17 - 21275e REPORT (MISC . #14049) April 17, 2014 BY: General Government Committee, Christine Long, Chairperson IN RE: MR #14049 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS— OAKLAND COUNTY CLERKIREGISTER OF DEEDS DISCOUNTED FEE POLICY AND APPLICATION PROCESS To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: The General Government Committee, having reviewed the above referenced resolution on March 31, 2014, reports with the recommendation the resolution be adopted as follows: "Discounted Fee Policy It is the policy of the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds office to provide services and copies of documents regardless of the Oakland County resident's ability to pay. Upon presentation of a letter by an accredited social services agency or other documentation evidencing financial hardship, the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds may reduce or waive the fee for needed vital records." Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move the acceptance of the foregoing report. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #14049 BY: Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District #13 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — OAKLAND COUNTY CLERK / REGISTER OF DEEDS DISCOUNTED FEE POLICY AND APPLICATION PROCESS To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS Oakland County is rebounding from the economic downturn. The 2010 Census shows that 11% percent of children under the age of 17 are living with families whose income was below the poverty level; and WHEREAS many indigent residents are unable to afford the fees for, and need copies of, vital records in order to enroll children in school, gain employment, qualify for housing and state assistance, and obtain a state identification card; and WHEREAS the cost of obtaining vital records, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates may impose a financial hardship on individuals who are homeless and families with limited financial resources; and WHEREAS the Michigan Public Health Code, Public Act 358 of 1978 [MCL 333.2891(16a)] provides that the governing body of a local governmental unit that has jurisdiction over a local registrar may adopt a system of fees for the local registrar that provides for fees less than or equal to the fees set forth [by the Statej"; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds' Vital Records Department is responsible for, amongst other duties, recording and safeguarding birth, death, marriage documents; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has previously established policies to provide services to Oakland County residents regardless of the individual's ability to pay, in which discounts are offered based upon household income and size; and WHEREAS the principle of a discounted or waived fee would be appropriate to assure that individuals in need of access to their vital records are not denied this documentation due to an inability to pay. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, hereby approves adjustments to the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds fee schedule, to establish the following: Discounted Fee Policy It is the policy of the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds office to provide services and copies of documents regardless of the Oakland County resident's ability to pay. Upon presentation of a letter by an accredited agency or other documentation evidencing financial hardship, the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds may reduce or waive the fee for needed vital records. Cdmmissioner Marcia Gftshenson District #13 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissione District Commissioner District #/ Commissioner District # BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, through the General Government Committee, shall review the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds discounted fee policy every three (3) years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #14049 March 6, 2014 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections. Resolution #14049 April 17, 2014 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee. There were no objections.