Pinal County treasurer charges real estate bill a conflict of interest for investor
By Robert Anglen, The Republic | azcentral.com
County treasurers across Arizona say a Phoenix real estate investor is behind an attempt to change state law to avoid paying a $146,100 tax bill.
Senate Bill 1071, which would cap how much counties can charge for recording certain property deeds, is moving quickly through the state Legislature.
In hearings, supporters of the bill have said it would protect future buyers of tax liens from excessive fees.
But according to the Pinal County treasurer, the bill was crafted specifically to benefit Phoenix lawyer and real estate investor Wayne Howard, cutting his cost to $500 from $146,100 for recording 2,922 property deeds.
Pinal County Treasurer Dolores “Dodie” Doolittle opposes the bill, along with other county treasurers and the Arizona Association of Counties, which lobbies on behalf of county governments.
