Cape Girardeau County assessor's office wants to expand digital records

The Cape Girardeau County Commission tabled a proposal Monday by Eric McGowen, information technology director, to increase digital document scanning capabilities for the assessor's office.

McGowen said in his request that the assessor's office would like to electronically file "property record cards, work index cards, letters, floodplain documentation, photos and many other types of documents and have then linked directly to the parcel information in the assessment software."

The cost of expanding existing software to accommodate the digital database would be $8,405 with an ongoing $855 per year for maintenance and would come out of the assessor's budget.

Recorder of Deeds Scott R. Clark voiced his support for streamlining operations, but said he was concerned about the possibility of documents that were recorded and maintained by the recorder's office being distributed through the assessor's office without collecting appropriate recorder's fees.

The recorders's office makes documents available internally to the assessor to assist in valuing properties for the county collector. Property owners and title companies who want a copy of official documents must request them for a fee through the recorder's office.

"The recorder's office is basically funded through the user fees it brings in on a yearly basis," Clark said.

Clark describes the recorder's office as providing an efficient and open means of transferring property and establishing public notice of land ownership. The office collects enough fees, he said, to pay for itself and contribute to the general revenue of the county.

"A recording office should not draw down (the general revenue), it should pay for itself in a county our size," Clark said.

The commission decided to table any action pending review of the proposal by the county clerk.

In other business, the commission entered a contract with Koehler Engineering to create plans for replacement of a bridge on County Road 274 that was damaged by heavy rains earlier this year. The bridge spans the Whitewater River west of Route P.

The small bridge will cost approximately $150,000 to replace, Commissioner Paul Koeper said. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds have been made available to fund 75 percent of the project. A preliminary design by Koehler will be received within 90 days. After a final design has been adopted, the county highway department will build the bridge.

The commission also reviewed a letter dated Dec. 1 from attorneys representing Hoffmeister Stake and Handle Company and Hoffmeister Real Estate, LLC, stating landowner opposition to being included in any future incorporation by Fruitland. The county received a petition for incorporation by Fruitland residents in August, but could not act until the city of Jackson accepted or rejected an involuntary request for annexation. Jackson decided to annex part of Fruitland on Nov. 28, pending a public vote. The county has not formally stated whether or not it will support the independent incorporation of Fruitland.

salderman@semissourian.com

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