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COCHISE COUNTY HEALTH DEPT. OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS. Fees Analysis and Proposal Jennifer Steiger, Deputy Registrar August 23, 2011. ARS 36-341.A, Vital Records Fees. “A local registrar may establish the local registrar’s own fees …” for: Document Searches
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COCHISE COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS Fees Analysis and Proposal Jennifer Steiger, Deputy Registrar August 23, 2011
ARS 36-341.A, Vital Records Fees • “A local registrar may establish the local registrar’s own fees…” for: • Document Searches • Copies of Registered Certificates (Births, Deaths) • Amendments and Corrections of Certificates
State VR Office was Mandated to Become Financially Self-Sufficient on July 1, 2011 How? • Increase the fees the OVR charges patrons at its Phoenix office; • Increase majority of the surcharges levied against the counties from $1/Certified Copy to $5.
Note:While this discussion focuses on birth and death certificate fees, the fee change proposals include a number of other services.Birth/Death Certs = 97% of Transactions and Revenue.Paternities & Corrections = 3%
What this Means to Cochise County • Unless the counties follow suit and raise VR fees we will be facing a net revenue loss of $4 per certificate/ transaction. • Presently: Net Revenue to GF of VR activities = ~$37,000/Yr. Total Birth Certs/Year = ~5,000 Total Death Certs/Year = ~6,000 Est. Transactions 11,000
What this Means to Cochise County:Breakeven Analysis Every $1 increase charged by the state will cost Cochise approx. $11,000 in revenue. Breakeven: If Net Revenue to GF of VR activities = ~$37K/Yr. Then Cochise could afford to absorb the first $3 of the $4 increase without running VR at a loss. Impact: Loss of ~$37,000 Net Revenue to General Fund
OptionsNo Change to County Fees County absorbs the $4 increase, begins paying State $5 per certificate on 7/1/11. Fiscal Impact: Net Revenue to GF of VR activities = ($6,600)/Yr. Total impact on GF revenues = Loss of Present Net Revenue - $37,000 New Losses - $ 6,600 - $43,600
Pros and ConsNo Change to County Fees Pros: • Minimizes cost to Clients. • No CCHD costs (time, money) for transition to new fee structure (est.= $5K) Cons: • Negative impact on General Fund of approx. $43.6K (loss of $37K net income + $6.6K increased net loss) • Is inconsistent with ADHS fee structure • Each transaction = Loss of $4 to GF
OptionsIncrease Fees by $5 -County passes along the $4 surcharge increase to clients, adds additional $1 fee increase. -Cost per certificate increases from $10 to $15. Fiscal Impact: Net Revenue to GF of VR activities = ~$37K to ~$48K/Yr Total impact on GF revenues = 0 to slight increase(est. +11k) Maintains net revenue to GF
Pros and ConsIncrease Fees by $5From $10 to $15 Pros: Maintains est. annual revenue flow to the GF; holds county GF “harmless” Still cheaper than new ADHS fees (could cause moderate increased revenue from clients “shopping”) Cons: Increases costs to clients by $5 per transaction Health Dept costs of transition to new fee structure Potential to create confusion among Arizona residents in certificates fees.
Letter to all counties from Will Humble, Director of ADHS “It is our hope that all certificates and vital records services in Arizona would charge the same price. However, counties in Arizona have statutory authority to set these fees for their county.” (4/27/11)
Recommendations Adopt Fee Increase: Increase Fees by $5--from $10 to $15. Minimizes financial impact on clients while maintaining crucial net income to County GF.