Legal News

Donatucci Says Independence Helps Users of Register of Wills Office

By Brian Harris

By Amaris Elliott-Engel
Of the Legal Staff
 
While the functions of Philadelphia's clerk for criminal courts were recently taken over by the First Judicial District because of alleged problems in the office's bookkeeping and record-keeping, Philadelphia Register of Wills Ronald R. Donatucci said in an interview after a City Council budget hearing Tuesday that he thinks his office should remain independently run.

Donatucci said his independence as a row officer helps serve Philadelphians who use his office for marriage licenses, the administration of deeds and estates, and searches of genealogical records.

"I believe the independence helps the office," Donatucci said. "We fight for what we think is important."

Donatucci was the only one of three row officers who appeared for City Council budget hearings scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The Sheriff's office and the City Commissioners also were scheduled, but only deputies reported to present those offices' budgets.

Donatucci's record of customer service was praised by Anna Verna, City Council president, and other City Council members. Donatucci said his philosophy of customer service includes not using voice-mail and making sure phone calls are picked up by a live person.

Donatucci asked for $80,000 more to pay for employees than recommended by Mayor Michael Nutter's administration, but he said they can live within the recommendation of the finance director. Donatucci said his employees know his high standards and he keeps them accountable.

"We did close to half a billion dollars in the last five or six years and we were off by 16 cents," Donatucci testified during the hearing. "I'm very proud of the operation.?

 Donatucci also informed City Council that a bill to increase the Register of Wills' filing fees has been introduced in the General Assembly. Donatucci said the bill is designed to be in line with the fees levied in the four neighboring suburban counties.

Questioning members of Sheriff John Green's staff, Verna wondered why the sheriff's office needs $1.28 million in overtime.

"That seems like an awful lot of money for overtime," Verna said.

Inspector Mark Stipa said deputies have to stay in courtrooms as long as judges are on the bench. And he said the office is providing security to Night Court at the Criminal Justice Center, Traffic Court held in the evenings and security for supervised custody visits on Sundays at the 1801 Vine St. family courthouse. He said that overtime also is racked up because eight-hour days in courtrooms are appended with two hours of transportation time before and after court to bring inmates to and from court and the Philadelphia Prison System.

Verna did not ask any follow-up questions, and no other City Council members asked questions of the sheriff's budget presenters.

The office has 243 authorized employees, but currently has 232 employees with the budget freeze, said Barbara Deeley, Green's chief of staff.

Full post as published by The Legal Intelligencer Blog on April 22, 2010 (boomark / email).