March 29, 2024

Recorder’s office seeking to digitize Jasper County real estate records

Jasper County Recorder Nancy Parrott will on Tuesday present a resolution to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors that would align with previous measures by county offices.

During the previous fiscal year, Jasper County implemented a number of initiatives to ensure the county was prepared for emergencies, and that its offices were equipped with up-to-date technologies and procedures.

Parrott is asking the board to consider approving a measure that would allow Columbus, Ohio-based Cott Systems to scan and digitize all of the county’s real estate records from 1988 to mid-1999.

According to the agenda, this amounts to 246,000 real estate records and 5,000 subdivision and survey plats, which are currently enclosed in more than 234 binders. The proposed benefits of this project is clearing space in the recorder’s office vault, allowing the public to access the records via computer and the records could be stored off-site as precaution.

If approved, the project will cost $41,000. Parrott said her office has the funds to pay $30,000 and she is asking that the board pay for the remainder from the general fund.

In other business, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty will present a list of certified candidates to the board for his office’s two open deputy positions. The board originally approved his request for three additional deputies in May and since then, one position has been filled.

The candidates — Cale McClain, Kiel Archer, Cody Hamilton, Nick Aldrich, Matt Hasdall and Clint Ray — each underwent and passed testing from the sheriff’s office on July 24.  Four days later, the Jasper County Civil Service Commission met and voted to certify all six applicants.

In other business:

• Jasper County Human Resources Director Dennis Simon will present hiring resolutions for the Secondary Roads Department and county assessor’s office.

• Jasper County Community Services Director/Central Point Coordinator Jody Eaton will present a proposal from the Central Iowa Community Services Region for transporting mental health patients.

• The board will formally appoint county attorney Mike Jacobsen as its representative for Newton’s Main Street organization.

• County Engineer Russ Stutt is asking the board to accept a low bid for a road overlay project and to set a road vacation public hearing for later in the month.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.