Pennsylvania's Lawrence County implements additional recording fee for demolition funds

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, commissioners agreed to impose an additional $15 fee to its $73.50 fee charged for recording deeds and mortgages, according to a report by the New Castle News. The increase revenue will be used for demolishing blighted buildings in the county.

The $15 fee is the maximum allowed to be imposed. This year, Lawrence County has recorded 2,300 deeds and 2,400 mortgages. According to the report, the additional fee would bring in about $70,500 annually.

The report says the commissioners had originally discussed a $10 addition to the fees, which would increase revenue to $47,000 annually, but Robert Del Signore, commissioner, urged that the $15 fee was necessary for the amount of blight throughout the county.

If the fee passes, the report says, it will take effect Jan. 1. The newly acquired funds would demolish properties in tax claim. According to the report, demolition funds currently come from lenders holding defaulted mortgages.