FREELOADERS EVICTED VS

COMPANIES WHO SET UP BUSINESS RENT-FREE, COURTESEY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, HAVE BEEN EVICTED. THE 5 PRIVATE COMPANIES WERE OCCUPYING SPACE IN THE COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE SPACE FOR YEARS. THIS SUMMER AUDITOR-CONTROLLER GARY KNUTSON (WHO RETIRED IN JULY) CONDUCTED AN AUDIT WHICH TURNED UP THE FACTS OF THE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. REPORTEDLY THE COUNTY MISSED OUT ON AT LEAST 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN RENT A YEAR, AND AT LEAST 4 HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH IN FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS. THE COMPANIES THAT WERE ASKED TO LEAVE WERE: FIRST AMERICAN TITLE COMPANY, OLD REPUBLIC TITLE COMPANY, SANTA CRUZ TITLE COMPANY, ABSTRACT INFORMATION SERVICES, AND PROPERTY INSITE