TOWN STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Act to approve an Electronic Recording Memorandum of Understanding with the Tarrant County Clerk for recording documents by electronic means (Dianna Buchanan, Interim Town Secretary)
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STAFF: Dianna Buchanan, Interim Town Secretary
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Westlake is required to record real property records such as plats and other documents with the Tarrant County Clerk's Office (TCC). Currently records are filed in person, either by staff or by a third-party contractor. In addition to the filing fees charged by the TCC, expenses are incurred for staff time and travel to and from the TCC to submit the records for filing in person. If records are filed by a third-party contractor, there is a fee charged for the service in addition to the filing fees of the TCC. To improve efficiency and decrease expenses related to recording records, staff requests Town Council agree to the attached Electronic Recording Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the TCC. This will allow staff to submit records electronically for permanent recording using a secure recording system, to receive confirmation of document recordation and a fee receipt for each transaction. This technology has been used for many years and is proven to be secure, accurate and effective.
TCC requires an escrow account be funded so that charges may be paid at the time they are incurred. The Town of Westlake already has an account set up with the TCC for this purpose. Funding of the account will be with dollars budgeted for this purpose and the account will be monitored for accuracy and reconciliation by the Town Secretary's Office and the Finance Department.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the MOU as presented.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Electronic Recording Memorandum of Understanding
TOWN COUNCIL ACTION/OPTIONS:
1) Motion to approve
2) Motion to amend with the following stipulations (please state stipulations in motion)
3) Motion to table
4) Mot...
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