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Recorder proposes $5 preservation surcharge to fund digitization after staffing losses
Summary
Logan County Recorder reported staff turnover and outlined a plan to fund required digitization brought on by Ohio Senate Bill 94 by implementing the maximum $5 preservation surcharge; she will research how neighboring counties place these funds before finalizing.
The Logan County Recorder told commissioners during the Nov. 19 budget hearing that her office had lost two employees — one to retirement and one by resignation — leaving two remaining staff. She said she had increased salaries for the remaining staff and hired a new employee who will start Dec. 2 with a starting salary of $19.00.
The recorder reported the office is advancing a scanning project to digitize older records and that a dedicated computer will be needed for the work. She cited Ohio Senate Bill 94 (effective Oct. 24, 2024) requiring county recorders to offer electronic recording and to make indexes and images available online back to 1980. To fund digitization and storage she said counties may impose a preservation surcharge of up to $5.00 and said she plans to set the charge at $5.00; she will research whether to place those funds in a separate recorder fund or in the general fund based on practices in surrounding counties.
Why it matters: SB 94 creates a statewide mandate that will require investment in scanning, hosting and indexing historic records; the recorder's decision on the surcharge will determine local funding and whether the revenue is earmarked in a dedicated recorder fund or the general fund.
Next steps: The recorder will finalize procurement for a dedicated computer and confirm how neighboring counties allocate the surcharge before returning with a detailed funding plan.
