Phyllis Walters: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: AlgonquinWebsite: http://phylliswalters.netOffice sought: McHenry Recorder of DeedsAge: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: McHenry County RecorderEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: McHenry County Board 12 years McHenry County RecorderHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I strive to ensure that documents are recorded accurately, our customers are served courteously, respectfully and efficiently, and I practice fiscal responsiblity through goal setting and long term planning.Key Issue 2 I will continue to serve the taxpayer efficiently and respectfully as I and my staff have in the past.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Is there technology that would improve the flow of business in the recorder's office and provide easier access to the public? What would the return on investment be?Yes, I have instituted Property Fraud Alert which notifies property owners of any document filed against their name.This is a free service that will help protect them against property fraud. To provide identity protection for military veterans, all recorded military discharge papers have been replaced with a marker page listing only the type of document, the veteran's name and the number of pages in their DD214. I have redacted social security numbers to protect property owners from identity theft.I instituted electronic recording, a paperless process that provides time and cost savings to McHenry County taxpayers.The recorders office has a free web search which provides limited recording information without images on the recorder's website. www.co.mchenry.il.us/countydpt/recorderA quarterly subscripition program is available that provides service for those who access information often.Images can be viewed and printed.In 2012 the Recorder's office will finish the backfile conversion project dating back to 1839.All document images will be available to search and view.The McHenry County Recorders Office will be the first in the State of Illinois and one of only several in the USA to have all its records scanned, indexed and imaged and will be available back to the beginning, 1839. All Recorder's office documents are immeditely stored offsite which provides security in the event of a disaster or other critical interruption of service.How would you go about improving government transparency and ease of use of records for the public?All documents and records are completely accessible to taxpayers both in person and electronically.With the recorder's office being a statutory office with some autonomy from the county board, are you comfortable with the way budgeting is handled? Please explain.Yes I am comfortable with the budgeting process.I have voluntarily reduced the staff in my office through technology, consolidation of dutires and attrition.