The County Judge told commissioners the 2026 budget includes $115,000 intended to start a records‑retention project that would inventory, classify and identify records that can be destroyed or require preservation.

Why it matters: commissioners were told the initial work would focus on justice-of-the-peace files and records stored in a county facility identified by staff. The judge said the startup amount would let the county determine what can be safely destroyed and what would require more expensive long‑term storage or digitization.

Scope and approach: staff said a modest, targeted effort of around $100,000–$115,000 would allow the county to “get our feet wet,” produce an inventory and classification and identify which records should be retained or digitized. The judge and commissioners said they prefer an incremental approach rather than approving a large capital outlay without first knowing the volume and condition of records.

Next steps: staff will engage the vendor, complete an initial inventory, quantify volumes that can be destroyed and return with a more detailed plan and possible follow-on budget requests for 2027 and beyond.

Ending: the court did not finalize an expanded program Friday but agreed the startup funding in the draft budget was reasonable to begin the work.