Cook County; Probate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

Cook County probate filers face technology fees

In Cook County, Georgia, the Probate Court clerk can charge a technology fee for each civil action filed. The judge sets the fee, capped at $5 per filing. The money can only buy computer hardware and software; lease, maintain, or install computer hardware; or support specified equipment and software. That equipment covers imaging, scanning, faxing, communications, projection, and printing, including purchase, lease, maintenance, and installation. The clerk must keep the money in a separate account, subject to audit by an auditor approved by county leaders. Once a year, the judge can declare a surplus and transfer it to the county government. The authority to charge the fee ends July 1, 2030. After that, leftover money remains dedicated to general Cook County technology uses.