From the Desk of Erie County Clerk Chris Jaocbs....

Says Mortgage Tax Collections up 16.8% Over Same Period Last Year

Erie County, NY-Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs announced his office will soon distribute to local governments throughout the County their share of the Erie County Mortgage Tax collections based off of real estate transactions recorded in the Clerk’s Office.  The total to be distributed on May 15th is $7,896,969.86 and covers the six month period October 1, 2012-March 31, 2013.  This amount is 16.8% higher than the same period last year.

“Record low interest rates have fueled both refinancing and home purchases throughout Western New York.  This is a positive development for Erie County’s municipal governments since mortgage tax distributions are a major source of revenue for many of the County’s cities, towns and villages,” stated County Clerk Jacobs.

       Says proud of role Clerk’s office plays to support critical services while keeping down taxes

Erie County, NY – Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs reported today that his office accounted for 50% of the overall county surplus.  Jacobs’ is referring to the County Comptroller’s report released yesterday which shows an overall budget surplus of $4.27 Million, and  “roughly 50% of the county’s entire operating surplus,” came from the County Clerk  said the Erie County Comptroller in his budget close-out report.

“We were proud to report our over $2 million dollar surplus several months ago but the fact that we contributed such a large percentage to the County’s overall surplus is quite significant,” said Jacobs. The Clerk’s Office represents only 4% of the County’s work force but is responsible for one-half of the 2012 County’s surplus.