Debbie “Dunnegan” Waters is seeking her fourth consecutive four-year term as Jefferson County’s Recorder of Deeds in the Aug. 2 Republican primary election, but she faces a challenge from Jason Dutton, an employee of the Assessor’s Office.
No Democrats filed for the office, so the winner of the primary will be sworn in during January.
The office pays a salary of $86,120.
WATERS, 58, of Hillsboro is the incumbent Recorder of Deeds. She and her husband, Ken, have a daughter, a stepson and a grandson. She graduated from Northwest High School in 1982 and Jefferson College in 1984 with an associate degree in applied science.
Website/social media: Facebook: Debbie Dunnegan - Recorder of Deeds: Jefferson County, MO
DUTTON, 47, of De Soto works in the mapping department of the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office. He and his wife, Jessica, have two children. He attended Jefferson College, where he completed the mechanical drafting and design certification program in 1996.
Website/social media: Facebook: Jason Dutton For Recorder Website: duttonforrecorder.com
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Waters: In addition to serving as Recorder of Deeds since 2011, I am a member of the Recorders Association of Missouri and Jefferson County Growth Association. I have been a children’s camp counselor since 2002. I served on the Grandview R-2 Board of Education from 2010-2013, the University of Missouri Extension Council from 2015-2017 and was a member of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers, the Property Records Industry Association and the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee.
Dutton: I have a background in geographical information systems, aerial imagery, photogrammetry, surveying, management of survey and drone flight crews, drone surveying, consulting in research, aerial triangulation and ground and aircraft-based LiDAR (light detection and ranging). Following college, I worked as a subcontractor for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, where I received Department of Defense training in protecting classified documents and data.
What are the recorder’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Waters: The Recorder’s Office was established to track the ownership of real estate. The Recorder ensures that documents adhere to state statutes and that recorded documents may be found quickly. The Recorder’s responsibility is to ensure that all records are preserved in a manner that, in the event of a disaster, the office may be quickly restored.
Prior to being elected, I searched and examined land records in multiple counties for 10 years. I know how a chain of title works and how to index documents to make determination of this chain most efficient.
Dutton: The Recorder’s duties are to track the ownership of real property, make sure all documents follow guidelines set by state statutes, issue marriage licenses and ensure that all records are protected. My career has given me the experience required for this position. I currently research recorded documents, court records and other sources to help identify property ownership and chain of title.
I can decipher legal descriptions and construct property boundaries based on deeds, subdivision plats and surveys. I take great pride in working with the public, legal, and business entities to answer questions regarding property.
What would you do to improve customer service?
Waters: Most people do not realize that employees in this office are prohibited by law from preparing deeds or giving legal advice. However, my staff is highly trained and motivated to assist everyone who stops by or calls on the phone in every way allowed by law. Every person is treated with dignity and respect whether they are there to record a deed, look up information or obtain a marriage license. You will always receive prompt service at the counter and prompt responses to your calls and emails.
Dutton: I have assisted many taxpayers who have had bad experiences as a result of poor service at the Recorder of Deeds Office, which is why I decided to run for Recorder. It is my mission that no taxpayer will leave the counter of any office I’m in without an answer or at least a plan to get the help needed.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Waters: It takes a strong leader, but it also takes compassion and understanding for the situations that people find themselves in. Hours of training are needed to learn all of the different documents that get recorded and what information is indexed from each one. Many more hours of training are required to learn what questions we can answer. I am that leader.
I am not here for a title or prestige or as a stepping stone to another political office. I am a hands-on Recorder who is here to do a job and to see that it is done well.
Dutton: My top priority will be to improve customer service. I want to build a safe and enjoyable workplace for the staff as well as improve communication between other county offices.
I would also like to look into updating or replacing the outdated online deeds search program and make it more convenient.
I’m just an average guy who sees a problem and wants to fix it.