Geary County register of deeds reviews 2024 accomplishments, outlines 2025 plans

Jackie Wright, Geary County register of deeds, briefed the Geary County Commission on office accomplishments in 2024 and laid out goals for 2025, including finishing an older-records indexing project, enabling remote access for staff and exploring credit-card payments for public services.

Wright said the office completed image uploading for a block of records (1980–1987) in June 2024 and is working backward; she said about 900 documents remain for 1985 before attention moves to 1984. "We have wrapped up the image uploading portion of our older records project," Wright said, adding that the work is progressing at a steady rate.

Wright told commissioners she used county tech funds to purchase a laptop and configured it with security support from the county technology vendor so she can access office systems remotely. "So we haven't had a laptop or any ability to access remotely in the register of deeds office," Wright said. She described the capability as useful for attending meetings and assisting staff while away from the office.

The register said she reinstated an escrow arrangement for copy charges after discussing the matter with Tammy, a county staff member who handles finance. Wright said Tammy agreed it was acceptable for the register's office to receive copy revenues and that those funds will flow to the county general fund as copy fees.

Wright described a plan to formalize annual public-access accounts for title companies and other research customers who use the county's online records system. "Betsy has helped me; she's come up with an agreement that I'm going to have every public access user sign on an annual basis," Wright said, calling the agreement a way to clarify fees and due dates.

On payments, Wright said she has explored enabling credit-card acceptance through the county's records software and third-party processors such as CanPay. She told the commission she was told the service can be enabled easily and that, in some setups, there is no direct cost to the county because customers pay the processing fee. Wright said she will follow up with other county offices about possibly implementing card acceptance jointly.

Wright also discussed outreach and education goals, including presentations to Fort Riley and veterans groups about safeguarding DD Form 214s (veterans' separation documents). She noted the legal status of DD-214s changed after a prior legislative process, and said the office wants to ensure veterans know how to protect their records.

Wright described ongoing staff cross-training and said her deputy, Stephanie, has taken on additional responsibilities during the office transition. She said she plans to attend professional training events in 2025 and pursue additional management certification in 2026 to strengthen office leadership.

Wright closed by thanking the commission for its support and saying she did not need specific action from the commissioners at the meeting.