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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > June > 25 > Entry
Crank claims organizational efficiencies
This press release came in from the Butler County Recorder’s office:
Butler County Recorder Danny Crank Gives Commissioners $100,000 Back for General Fund
HAMILTON, OHIO - Through efficient use of office resources, Butler County Recorder Danny Crank was able to present the Butler County Board of Commissioners a present of $100,000 today (Monday).
Crank provided the commissioners an update on his office and the areas where he has been able to save money and find efficiencies. Through these savings, Crank offered to return $100,000 from his office’s computerization fund back to the county’s General Fund.
Crank also updated commissioners on a shared project between the Recorder’s Office and Engineer’s Office. Two Recorder’s Office employees are currently working out of the Engineer’s Office at least three days per week scanning in blue prints, maps and road projects. Soon, the Engineer’s Office will allow the Recorder’s Office access to a special scanner for the preservation of old real estate records.
The Recorder’s Office had the need of a scanner and the Engineer’s Office had the need of personnel to do scanning. By sharing resources, both offices have been able to save taxpayers money.
“I talked with Greg Wilkens a few weeks ago and he is very satisfied the way the project is moving and is very thankful for our assistance,” Crank told commissioners on Monday.
“This is a great example of county officials working together to save taxpayers money,” Commissioner Jolivette said of the project. “Danny and Greg both need to be congratulated.”
The Recorder is also putting staff to work on redacting personal information such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers from office records. By doing this in-house, instead of contracting with a software vendor to mask the personal information, Crank is saving $185,000.
As president of the Ohio Recorders’ Association, Crank worked very closely with Sen. Niehaus on an identify theft bill that allowed password protection for users of the Recorder’s Office Web site. However, Crank said passage of the latest public records law brought new concerns.
“I am not comfortable with the password system since I must now give a password to anyone that requests one, even if they are outside this country,” Crank said. “Many title companies now have title plants in Third World countries and I am not comfortable giving out personal information to people I do not know.”
More money is being saved from the 2006 decision to go out to bid for a new software vendor for the office.
“We did decide on a new vendor after a 17-year relationship with our previous vendor. As a result of our office going out for bid, my best projection is that over five years we will save approximately $600,000,” Crank told commissioners.
And the office is getting more for less.
“We feel we have the premier software package in the state,” Crank said. “We were the first Recorder’s Office in Ohio to do electronic recording and three weeks ago our software vendor had clients from Michigan come into our office to show our system.”
“We appreciate the teamwork the Recorder’s Office engages in with all county offices. Danny always does a professional job,” commented Commissioner Chuck Furmon.
Commissioner Don Dixon stated, “Dan Crank is a prime example of looking out for the general fund and looking out for taxpayers.”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: County Recorder
Comments
By Lila
July 2, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
I’m glad Mr. Crank is returning the unused budget funds. However, a number of things come to mind: 1) It’s an election year, and Mr. Crank has opposition (great timing!). 2) His office is in need of someone who can develop a more precise budget so that extra money isn’t sitting in his coffers in the first place. What is his overall budget, and what % does that $100K represent? 3) Efficiencies, you say? I’ve heard that there have been times when he’s told his employees to bring pens and pencils in from their homes to use in the office (they weren’t allowed to buy needed office supplies to do their jobs); and 4) What is the situation with salaries in that office? I’ve also heard that some of his employees have gone years without an increase, and were told there were no funds available to even provide them with a minimal cost of living increase (all the while the Friends & Family Salary Program was alive and well elsewhere in the county). Let’s present the entire picture to the public — not just selected bits of information that make for good sound bites to the media. To summarize, the fine citizens of Butler County need not be mesmerized by large dollar amounts that in and of themselves make Mr. Crank look like such a fine steward of county money. These Republican office holders will stop at nothing to remain in charge. Vote for change in 2008!
By citizen
July 2, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
It appears that some people have no idea what the recorder budget even entails. If they had a clue they would understand that the money that is being returned is from a special fund that is set up by law. It is not just money that Mr. Crank can use for any reason he so chooses. Also, name one employee who has not received a raise in his office. Every year the county departments are sent information on how to prepare their budget and what (if any) items need to be cut. Danny Crank is a prime example of what an elected official should be regardless of his polical affiliation.