Columbiana recorder office feels crunch

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

LISBON

Columbiana County Recorder Craig A. Brown’s office is feeling an economic crunch.

He has asked the commissioners to increase the fees charged by his office for five years starting Jan. 1, 2011.

The maximum fee his office can charge now is $4 per document recorded.

Brown said Wednesday he’s asking the commissioners’ blessing to raise that charge to $7.

The number of filings at his office is stagnant because of the downturn in the economy, he added.

Brown said he wants to increase fees to raise money to replace old computers and equipment with new ones to be more efficient.

Salaries in the office are not involved with the request to the commissioners, Brown said.

He estimated that the request would bring in about $280,000 in additional funds over five years.

The commissioners did not act on his request.

The commissioners haven’t begun deliberations on appropriations for next year.

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the commissioners will meet with Brown later to discuss his plan.