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Thank you for taking the time to visit my website to learn more about me and the issues I have taken on as your Erie County Clerk. Admittedly, most people aren’t quite sure what a County Clerk does. Many are surprised to learn the County Clerk is effectively the CEO of a major public service organization.
Among other responsibilities imposed by over 800 State and County statutes, the Clerk’s Office handles your two largest, most important investments: your home and your car. The transactions conducted in the Clerk’s Office touch people’s lives directly and are a barometer of the economic health of the community.
To accomplish my objective of providing you the very best service at the lowest cost, I’ve re-engineerd the delivery of government services by implementing innovative cost-saving measures for our taxpayers. Using my private sector experience, I have employed solid business principles resulting in dramatic improvements in service.
Most importantly, time and time again, I’ve stood up for our residents against Albany. As a County-wide elected official, I am proud to have been a leader in the fight to keep your money right where it belongs—in your pocket! I’ve fought and won battles against the mandatory license plate re-issuance plan, the ill-conceived proposal to allow licenses for illegal immigrants, and acted as a key player in the effort the remove the Thruway tolls along the I-190, earning the title “Stop the Tolls Pioneer” by the Buffalo News.
Below is a snap-shot of some of our successes just since 2007:
- Accomplished over $1 million in savings for taxpayers by relocating the Downtown Auto Bureau into rent-free space in the Rath Building.
- Dramatically improved the image and reputation of Auto Bureaus (no small task!) Re-engineered customer service at the Auto Bureaus by implementing a line-free ticket system, electronic wait-time monitors, comfortable seating area, children’s play space and televisions in Auto Bureau locations. Introduced business model for customer service standards. Result—overall more positive experience for customers.
- Expanded Auto Bureau locations to Northtowns and Southtowns to bring services closer to the people thereby saving customers time and gas money.
- Creative use of technology to keep customers informed about wait-times and conditions at Auto Bureaus through Twitter updates.
- Launched “Just Mail It/Just Drop It” campaign to encourage vehicle owners to mail or drop” their vehicle registration in green envelopes to keep $1.5 million in revenue from being drained from Erie County and sent to Albany.
- Generated over $75,000 in new revenue through the “Passports on the Move” program brings the passport application process to businesses and organizations throughout the County. Over 100 businesses, hospitals, senior centers, cultural organizations and offices have been served.
- Initiated services to help small businesses which begin in the Clerk’s Office, by creating a “Starting Your Business” resource packet to make the complicated process of starting a business more hassle-free for the new entrepreneur.
- One of first Counties in the State to offer electronic filing of Court cases to save time and expense for attorneys. Working on Statewide committee to develop uniform standards and to promote legislation to allow for electronic recording of land records, deeds and mortgages.
- Streamlined operations at the Registrar’s office by re-structuring back-office operations to reduce staff costs. Introduced scanning of Court filings to eliminate needless paper and storage expense for the County.
- Aggressively Promoted Government programs such as First-time Homebuyer tax credit and Cash-for-Clunkers to help stimulate home and vehicle sales.
- Modernized Pistol Permit Office, using technology to streamline operations and eliminate redundancy thereby reducing the time involved in the approval process.
- Early advocate of safe teen driving – launched public relations campaign to promote our Anti-Texting/Distracted Driving pledge.
While our initiatives have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers, I constantly challenge our staff to do even more—go the extra mile, and let people know their government is there to work for them, not the other way around. I am proud to serve as your voice in government, and with your support, will continue to work for and when necessary, fight for, the people of this great community.
Kathy Hochul
Your County Clerk
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