Prothonotary report

Prothonotary Kayla M. Semmel released the statistical report of activities for her office for the month of December 2022.

For December there were 384 cases started in December with the following breakdown: Civil actions, 23; custody, 7; DJ appeal, 2; divorce, 10; ejectment, 3; license appeal, 1; mortgage foreclosures, 13; protection from abuse, 21; quiet title, 1; CT appointment, 6; judgments, 268; Stip/waiv liens, 2; custody modifications, 7; miscellaneous, 1; assessment appeal, 2; partition, 2; replevin, 2; and writs, 13.

A total of 28 passport applications were processed in October. In addition, a total of 12 renewal applicants sought assistance from the office; and 37 photos were taken. Passports are by appointment and pictures can now be taken in the office.

Total income generated was $32,240; prothonotary fees, $24,212.95; custody/divorce fees, $2,737.50; data processing fees, $4,537.32; interest income, $408.73; PFA surcharge sheriff, $25; PFA surcharge courts, $25; and stenographer fess, $293.50.

In addition to the above fees, the office remitted to the county for the remote access fund for remote access fees of $7,400, remitted to the state department of revenue (fees collected on new cases) $3,601.01; and automation fund $1,305, which money collected for future automation and improvements to the office.

Sales tax money turned over to the state for tax on passport photos, $31.45.

Year 2022 report

The office processed 4,442 new cases in the year 2022 and turned over to the county just over $401,197 in various fees. The office continued to work to clear an escrow backlog and remitted the funds to the appropriate parties. The fees that were disbursed we just over $20,000. The office provided 477 passport photos to the public and processed over 600 new applications and renewal applications for passports. Semmel also states that she was able to underspend her allotted budget by nearly $50,000 in 2022.

“Our office is currently working on a new case management system for the courts that will be introduced in the near future,” Semmel said. “I am eager for the accessibility and ease in which it will provide to the residents, attorneys and constituents alike to utilize our services. In addition, we are investigating ways in which we can utilize the new management system to provide additional revenue to the county.”

Zoning appeal, 4; court appointment, 19; judgments, 2783; mental health, 3; miscellaneous, 26; paternity. 2; PFSVI, 21; stip/waiv liens, 56; writs, 230; assessment appeal, 8; civil action, 285; custody, 132; DJ appeal, 66; declaratory judgment, 6; divorce, 177; ejectment, 19; eminent domain dec/taking, 1; writ of execution/writs, 1; license appeal, 24; mandamus, 1; mortgage foreclosure, 109; protection from abuse, 335; name change, 11; partition, 5; quiet title, 25; audit/financial/reports, 3; replevin, 5; tax sale, 12; modification of custody, 112.

Financial report for 2021: Prothonotary fees, $288,160.48; custody/divorce fees, $20,927.65; data processing fees, $55,225.43; interest income, $915.04; PFA surcharge sheriff, $641.05; PFA surcharge courts, $648.05; stenographer fees, $10,980.

In addition to the above fees: Remitted to the county for the remote access fund for remote access fees, $30,200; remitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (fees collected on new cases): $48,137.38; automation fund (money collected on new cases for future automation and improvements to the office), $13,708.22.