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Parma auditing: Vital‑records demand surged after state change; auditor seeks staff to handle extra volume
Summary
Auditor Brian Day said statewide changes to death‑certificate issuance greatly increased Parma’s volume of vital‑records requests and revenue; he proposed adding a part‑time clerk (with a possible full‑time role later) and noted certified paper costs rose under the state vendor.
Auditor Brian Day told council the city’s vital‑records workload has jumped after a state change that widened the scope of death‑certificate issuance, bringing in more funeral‑home business statewide. Day said the fourth quarter after the state change yielded about 7,500 additional death certificates and increased revenue by roughly $100,000 compared with the prior year. He proposed hiring a part‑time clerk to handle the influx, noting staff are currently stretched and that certified paper costs rose under a new state vendor.
Day said the revenue from birth and death certificates is a municipal revenue source (2023: roughly $333,000; 2024: $332,000; 2025: ~$432,000 in his figures) and that if volumes remain high he will return to council seeking a full‑time position. Councilmembers suggested a full‑time hire may be justified given the increased, recurring revenue. Day said the part‑time hire is the first step and he will monitor whether it suffices.
Next steps: Auditor will hire the part‑time clerk to start and report back on volumes and whether a full‑time position is necessary.
