As a result of the Legislature eliminating physical documentary stamps and the Department implementing many of our recommendations to reduce costs, the Department should realize an estimated $146,000 in annual savings. However, the Department should continue its efforts to:

• improve audit productivity; and
• pursue a more cost-effective means to capture information from the "Return for Transfers of Interest in Florida Real Property" (DR219) in electronic form.

The Legislature can save approximately $5 million annually by amending s. 201.022, F.S., to:

• require that Form DR219 be recorded as a public document as an additional page of the deed, thereby holding the document to a higher level of accountability and allowing the clerk to collect a recording fee; and
• eliminate the 1% commission paid to county clerks for handling the report.