PARIS – Jane Rich has been doing a little research, and she hopes the results will help her appeal for a raise during the coming budget season.

Rich, the Oxford County register of deeds, said Tuesday that she is being paid less than most people in comparable positions across the state. She hopes to see a $3,000 increase in her salary for the next fiscal year, which begins in January.

“Most of the registers are (making) around $29,000 or $30,000,” Rich said, showing a sheet of salary comparisons.

According to her numbers, the Aroostook County register of deeds processed 6,175 documents last year and was paid $34,000; the Somerset County register of deeds processed 20,933 documents last year and was paid $29,000; and the Lincoln County register of deeds processed 19,183 documents last year and was paid $31,000.

Rich, who lives in Andover, processed 21,515 documents last year and was paid $26,000 by Oxford County.

“The only person that’s even on par with me is Knox,” Rich said Tuesday, pointing to her listing for the Knox County register of deeds, who is paid $26,500 and processed 19,905 documents last year.

Rich has spent 13 years in as register, and said she typically receives a 3 percent raise. But she feels her duties have now exceeded the value of her pay.

Over the last two years, the Oxford County register’s office has seen a sizable increase in paperwork due to low interest rates and fast-moving property, Rich said.

Typically, she said, about 16,000 documents were filed in the register’s office each year. Last year that number jumped to 21,515, and she expects a higher number in 2004.

That means more income for the county and the resources to cover a raise, Rich said.

In 2003, Rich took in $286,000 in recording fees alone. In 2004, she expects that number to well exceed $300,000. She has taken in $228,000 already.

And with the registry of deeds making the transition to computer filing in the fall, Rich said the fees that people will pay to view the online registry will cover a salary increase.

On Tuesday, Rich made an appearance before the Oxford County commissioners to make her salary request.

Chairman Albert Carey said Rich’s salary was something the board “can take into consideration.”

“I know where you’re coming from,” he added.

Members Fred Kennard and Steve Merrill seemed reluctant to support the request.

Kennard said the Oxford County Budget Committee typically commits to standard pay increases, like the annual 3 percent raise.

“Well you know what, Fred, then I’ll just make my case to them,” Rich said pleasantly, her research in hand.