R7G-Develop New Program For Expedited Lien SearchesCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, authorizing the Administration to
develop a new program for expedited lien searches with a turn-around time of one business day; charging customers
$250.00 for an expedited certified lien search and $300.00 for an expedited certified lien search including the
common area.
Item Summary/Recommendation :
The Administration recommends that the approve the item. The City of Miami Beach
processes approximately 1,600 certified lien searches annually. Current fees for certified lien searches range
from $100 to $150, with approximate revenues al$227,500
ln September 2009, the City of Miami Beach established the current fee structure for lien searches. When
conducting a certified lien search, City staff research open building permits, code violations, building violations,
in addition to unpaid amounts for City.
On July 2,2014, City staff conducted an industry meeting for title companies to discuss the City's current lien
processes. The top 25 title search lien customers were invited to attend this meeting. During this meeting, as
well as, though routine correspondence with title search companies, requests for an expedited 24 hour certified
lien service were suggested by the industry.
Currently, the City publishes a turn-around time of ten business days for certified lien searches. The actual
average turn-around time for these lien searches is approximately five business days.
The Administration has analyzed the projected costs and revenues associated with developing a new program
for expedited lien searches with a turn-around time of one business day. Administration has additionally
surveyed neighboring communities to see what the market is charging, where available, for expedited certified
lien searches.
It is anticipated that proposed program would entail the efforts of one full{ime entry level position of a Financial
Analyst I with a salary of approximately $40,000 and total costs of $70,000. This analysis takes into account the
labor costs and benefits, as well as, related materials and overhead associated with processing searches.
It is projected that the proposed new program, charging $250 for an expedited certified lien search and $300 for
an exoedited certified condominium search. would an additional$75.000.
The Finance and Citywide Projects Committee, at their September 24,2014 meeting,
be aooroved bv the Commission.
Financial lnformation :
Source of I IFunds: f- I T
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Financial lmpact Summary:
Patricia D. Walker, ext.6461
Department Director f$n$rf lnancial Officer City Manaler
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,\2014\September 30\ Expedited Lien Fee Summ.doc
AGENDA I \R7G
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City of Miqmi Beqch, I200 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33.l39. www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Philip Levine and Members
FRoM: Jimmy L Morales, City Manager
DATE: September30,2014
the City
MIAM! BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO
DEVELOP A NEW PROGRAM FOR EXPEDITED LIEN SEARCHES WITH A
TURN-AROUND TIME OF ONE BUSINESS DAY; CHARGING CUSTOMERS
$25O.OO FOR AN EXPEDITED CERTIFIED LIEN SEARCH AND $3OO.OO FOR AN
EXPEDITED CERTIFIED LIEN SEARCH INCLUDING THE COMMON AREA.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMEN DATION
Adopt the Resolution.
KEY INTENDED OUTGOME SUPPORTED
. Streamline the delivery of services through all departments.
BACKGROUND
The City of Miami Beach processes approximately 1,600 certified lien searches annually.
Current fees for certified lien searches range from $100 to $150, with approximate revenues
at$227,500 (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - FY 2014115 Lien Revenues
Gity of Miami Beach
FY 2(,14t15
Gertified Lien Search Revenues (Approximate)
ln September 2009, the City of Miami Beach established the current fee structure for lien
searches. When conducting a certified lien search, City staff research open building
permits, code violations, building violations, in addition to unpaid amounts for City charges
(i.e. water, sewer, stormwater, waste, resort tax, special assessments, business tax, and
miscellaneous City bills).
274
September 30, 2014 City Commission Memo
Ceftified Lien Fee Resolution
Page 2 of 3
ANALYSIS
On July 2,2014, City staff conducted an industry meeting for title companies to discuss the
City's current lien processes. The top 25 title search lien customers were invited to attend
this meeting. During this meeting with the title search companies, requests for an expedited
24 hour certified lien service were suggested by the industry.
Currently, the City publishes a turn-around time of ten business days for certified lien
searches. The actual average turn-around time forthese lien searches is approximatelyfive
business days.
The industU, as a result of expanded business in the real estate market, as well as, their
sensitivity to closing dates, has expressed an interest for a paid expedited certified lien
search.
The Administration has analyzed the projected costs and revenues associated with
developing a new program for expedited lien searches with a turn-around time of one
business day. Administration has additionally surveyed neighboring communities to see
what the market is charging, where available, for expedited certified lien searches.
It is anticipated that proposed program would entail the efforts of one full{ime entry level
position of a Financial Analyst I with a salary of approximately $40,000 and total costs of
$70,000, This analysis takes into account the labor costs and benefits, as well as, related
materials and overhead associated with processing searches.
It is projected that the proposed new program, charging $250 for an expedited certified lien
search and $300 for an expedited certified condominium search, would generate an
additional $75,000 (Figure 2).
Figure 2-FY 2014115 Proposed Lien Revenues
City of Miami Beach
FY 2014t15
Analysis of Proposed
Certified Lien Search Revenues
The Finance and Citywide Projects Committee, at their September 24, 2014 meeting,
approved the proposed program.
Lien Searches - Condos $142,500.00
275
September 30, 2014 City Commission Memo
Certified Lien Fee Resolution
Page 3 of 3
CONCLUSION
The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of
Miami Beach, Florida, adopt the attached resolution, authorizing the authorizing the
Administration to develop a new program for expedited lien searches with a turn-around time
of one business day; charging customers $250.00 for an expedited certified lien search and
$300.00 for an expedited certified Lien search including the common area.
JLM/PDWGE/MM 4
T:\AGENDAUOI4\Ssptember 30, ZOtlt€xpediteO Lien Fee Memo Soptember 10, 2014
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RESOLUTION TO BE SUBMITTED
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