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Register of Deeds seeks full‑time clerk, adds passport service and tech investments to reduce future risk
Summary
Register Jamie Homer Kalson proposed converting a part‑time clerk to full time, starting passport photo/acceptance services and using technology fund dollars for imaging and system upgrades to protect records and generate revenue.
At the budget hearing Miami County Register of Deeds Jamie Homer Kalson requested the commission approve converting a part‑time position to full time, and described plans to add passport acceptance and photo services along with technology investments to digitize historic index records.
Kalson told commissioners her office produced significantly more recording revenue than projected last year and that a full‑time clerk plus passport services could be self‑supporting. “We would make $35 on each passport and $15 for each picture that we take,” she said, describing the standard acceptance fee and photo fee revenue the county would retain. She also said Lyon County—used as a comparator—generated hundreds of dollars a day on busy passport days and that Miami County could serve residents from neighboring counties.
Kalson outlined technology needs and preservation risks: the office plans phased imaging of historic index pages (first phase quoted at about $68,000) and has a recurring tech‑system lifecycle payment (approximately $19,470 per year) currently paid from the technology fund. She said the tech fund balance has averaged about $200,000 and that the fund is funded by per‑page recording fees rather than general tax dollars. Kalson expressed reluctance to pay a staff salary from the tech fund, saying she does not feel it is lawful to fund salaries from that account and that she currently pays roughly half of a part‑time clerk from the tech fund.
Commissioners and staff discussed passport logistics (small private area for photos and a camera/printer—capital cost roughly $1,500–$2,000) and possible demand beyond the county. Kalson said she has a federal application in process to become a passport acceptance agent and hopes to start the service early in the coming year; she noted that post offices in Paola and Louisburg currently offer passport services but have limited hours.
Ending
No formal action was taken. Commissioners signaled general support and asked staff to incorporate the requested full‑time position, technology projects and passport startup costs into the budget deliberations.
