Friday, April 11, 2014

Why I am running for Recorder/Surveyor


Why I am running for Recorder/Surveyor-

When I first started with the recorders office in 1980 I thought this was just “another job”. But after helping the public and creating a mapping system this “job” turned into a passion. After 33 years I have not only seen Weber County grow, but also the growing interest and use of what we produce at the Recorder/Surveyors office. The offices were combined to reduce duplication and save the taxpayers of Weber County. The reasons I am running for this office are as follows.

  •        To restructure the budget without an increase to make customer service a top priority
  •         To have equal representation of both offices
  •          To have each office work collectively as they are both unique and important
  •          To protect original historical documents


How would I make customer service a top priority?

I will restructure the customer service department to include a currently unfilled supervisor position which would not increase the budget just restructure within the current budget. There is currently no trained knowledgeable supervisor for these employees to go to for help with problems whether they be, a question of policy, scheduling, or just having the authority to make a decision. The current status is one of confusion and unrest because of a lack of management and lack of clear policies/procedures. I will have in-office training, hold staff meetings, and have supervisors in each department. By doing so, we can be clear on policies/procedures and making sure customer service is our number one priority. Also, I would make sure there is someone within the surveying office at all times. Currently, the office will close randomly without any notice to the public. This should never happen.

What would I do differently within the offices?

The office has become lopsided. Under the current administration the Recorder's office has no representation when it comes to office policies/procedures and daily functions. The office currently has an Administration Assistant and a Chief Deputy, both from the Surveyors Office. I would have two Chief Deputies, one for the Recorder side, and one for the Surveyor side (that person would be a licensed Surveyor). This important change can be accomplished without increasing the budget. The Chief Deputies will have supervisors under them in each department. I will have weekly meetings with them to make sure we all share, and strive to accomplish the same goals.  Within the Recorder’s office, I would cross train my employees.  When very busy or short handed in an area, we could work together to accomplish what is needed. With input from the four licensed Surveyors currently employed as merit employees, and trusting their experience and training, I will make any improvements they might recommend. I will not make the same mistake that Mr. Rowley made when he began making changes in the Recorder’s policies without ever asking why we did things the way we did. While Mr. Rowley came to the office with sufficient education and certification as a Surveyor, his expertise and experience in the Recorder’s Office was limited to the application of the Recorder’s information in the field of Surveying.   Very soon after Mr. Rowley took over the duties of Recorder/Surveyor he began making changes to many established and proven policies in the Recorder’s Office. While these changes may have made sense to him from his perspective of Surveyor, the changes created problems in the Assessor’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Clerk/ Auditor’s Office.

How will I manage the budget?

First and foremost, I recognize that these offices are funded by taxpayer dollars. I can assure you that I will keep a transparent and balanced budget. I will reduce spending while not sacrificing our service to the public and fellow county employees. Mr. Rowley has neglected to replace many of the positions in the Recorder’s Office. At the same time, he has increased the number of employees and the budget approximately 70% on the Surveyor’s side of the office. While Mr. Rowley may try to “spin” not hiring as a savings, any savings has been at the expense of taxpayer service.

Is my vision different than the current Recorder/Surveyor?

My goal is not to combine the functions of the two offices, because they are both unique and important, but to have two teams working cohesively together to better serve the taxpayers of Weber County. I will dedicate myself each day (just like I have for 33 years). Unlike Mr. Rowley, I have no ambitions or agendas beyond serving as the Weber County Recorder/Surveyor.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Career Information

Currently President Elect of the Weber County Republican Women 2013-2014
President of  the Weber County Republican Women 2015-2016

Weber County Career

       I started my career with the Weber County Recorder's Office in December of 1980. For seven years I worked at the front counter at fee and entry. In 1987, I became part of the mapping department, Platting Subdivision and deeds, figuring acreage for the Assessors Office, creating land serial numbers and Taxing Units. In 1990, we started converting our maps from drafting on paper to the computer. In 1995, I became the Lead  Cadastral Mapping Department head; working close with the Assessors, Auditor, Treasurer and IT.

Plan and Goals

        I'm passionate about the Recorder's Office. I care about the maps of Weber County, and want to see them converted from Auto Cads to GIS. The surveyors play an important part in our maps. Their information about the section lines are vital to us correctly figuring acreage. For this reason, I want to be able to merge the two offices into one cohesive office in which information can be shared to make the records accurate for the public.


Certificates

Certified Cadastral Mapper Tecchnology 29-April-1988
Certified Cadastral Mapper & Computer Mapping 09-May-1988

Seal of Service Award for exemplary customer service for work in the Recorder's Office Dec. 20, 1995

Certificate of Completion "Law of Easements Legal Issues and Practical Considerations" March 19, 2009

Certificate of Completion ESRI Creating and Editing Parcels and ARC GIS May 19, 2004

Emergency Mgmt Institute "CERT" Nov. 13, 1997
Emergency Mgmt Cert of Achievement FEMA Introduction  (NRP)            28-Aug-2006
                                                                                                 (NIMS)          24-Aug-2006

Completion ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents               22-Aug-2006

Completion (ICS100)                                                                                     21-Aug-2006

Completion (MACS)                                                                                      22-Oct-2010

Completion (IS-00703.a)                                                                               22-Oct-2010

Completion (IS-00701.a)                                                                               22-Oct-2010



Thursday, March 20, 2014

Platform for Leann Kilts for Weber County Recorder/Surveyor

Seven years ago, the Surveyor’s Office and the Recorder’s Office were combined.  Now, seven years later, these two offices remain combined legally, but do not function collaboratively.  In other words, there has not been seven years of progress.   There has been seven years of stagnation.
  
 As Recorder/Surveyor, I will integrate the two departments to finally become the productive, effective department they were combined to be.  Each department will benefit from the other and work together as one.

I will appoint a Chief Deputy for both sides of the combined Recorder/Surveyor Office. Equal representation will facilitate clear communication, efficient management, higher production and cooperation. This important change can be accomplished without increasing the budget.

I will reprioritize the GIS system of record/map keeping.  As the GIS system is built, it will provide more and easier access of information to the public and professionals of Weber County.

I will move to retain the experienced employees within the offices, securing their expertise and dedication to the land records, surveying, and service.  This is important to all those seeking information from the Recorder/Surveyor Office.

Cross training of some positions will allow flexibility for employees, better covering work load while increasing productivity and better service for the public.

I will ensure better utilization and of equipment, technology, and supplies, eliminating duplication of projects/assignments, and subsequent waste of time and materials. 


Survey information (previously withheld from the Recorder’s Office) would be available for everyone’s benefit.  

Please feel free to email me with any comments or questions you may have at  leannkilts@gmail.com or call me at 801-644-0938.

I look forward to the chance to introduce myself at the meet and greet at Weber State University and I also look forward to meeting  you at the convention.