The city and County of Peoria are working together to expedite the process of transferring or selling property within the city. The County Treasurer, Recorder of Deeds and City Treasurer announced they’ve entered into an intergovernmental agreement to allow the Recorder’s Office to collect the city’s portion of the Real Property Transfer Tax.
Currently, residents or business owners selling or transferring property within Peoria have to pay the city’s portion of the transfer tax at city hall. They then have to record that payment at the county Recorder’s Office. City Treasurer Patrick Nichting says having all taxes payable in one location streamlines the process for residents.
“For the first time the technology exists at the state for us to do this electronically, but more importantly allow it to be in Nancy’s office without having to come into my office. So as a result of that, it really becomes customer-driven, customer-focused,” said Nichting.
Peoria County Recorder of Deeds, Nancy Horton, says the county is also getting a new computer system will allow county residents to look up information from the recorder’s office online.
“All of this is setting up to go into the 21st century, to move the Recorder’s office from the Dark Ages into being able to come and keep up with our kids, to a degree,” said Horton.
The County Recorder of Deed’s office will begin collecting the city’s portion of the transfer tax December first. The ability to look up information from the recorder’s office online launches in January.