DuPage County recorder candidates say they would help transition if office is dissolved
Two Republicans are seeking to become their party's nominee for DuPage recorder of deeds, despite the possibility the office could be eliminated in about two years.
Babette Holder Youngberg of Wheaton and Ron Almiron of Wheaton will face off during the GOP primary on March 17.
Holder Youngberg says she's running for the seat because longtime Recorder Fred Bucholz is retiring. The office is the custodian of all the county's land records.
"My focus will be on fiscal restraint and security issues related to mortgage fraud and identity theft," said Holder Youngberg, who is a social media manager.
Almiron, an attorney, says he believes his education and experience make him an ideal fit for the position.
"I want to keep up the transparency and accessibility that Fred Bucholz has had," Almiron said. "But I want to make sure that we save money. I believe in limited government. I believe in less spending."
If elected, Almiron said he would research and implement best practices so the recorder's office "could be even more efficient."
The winner of the Republican nomination will advance to the November general election to face Kathleen Carrier of Carol Stream, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
But it's possible the next recorder won't serve a full 4-year term.
The DuPage County Board has agreed to ask voters in November if the recorder's office should be abolished.
If the ballot question is approved, the duties of the recorder's office would be merged with the county clerk's office by Nov. 30, 2022.
The county is planning to have an independent study done to determine whether the proposed merger would benefit taxpayers.
During an endorsement interview this week, Almiron said his advice to voters would be to reject the referendum.
"The people, the voters, want accountability," Almiron said. "And that's why I think the offices should be kept separate. So the recorder, who is directly elected by the people, will be accountable to the taxpayers and focus solely on the recorder's mission."
Holder Youngberg said the idea of saving money sounds great. But she says the recorder's office brings in roughly $6 million a year in revenue - far more than its annual budget of roughly $1.5 million.
Still, if she becomes the recorder and voters decide the office should be eliminated, Holder Youngberg said, "I will go with what the voters want."
She said she would make sure "the transition is smooth into the clerk's office."
Despite his concerns about the merger, Almiron said he would support whatever the voters decide.
He said he would do "absolutely everything I can to cooperate with the county clerk to effectuate a smooth transition" if he's the recorder and the office is dissolved.