Local government has always been one of the more personal aspects of our country’s administration that we can interact with. They have offices we can walk into, see their files in person, and interact with experts. The pandemic has obviously shifted things quite dramatically, creating more distance between citizens and their local leaders.
Last year, we talked about the many counties that were using funds from the CARES Act to get their records digitized and made available to the public online. This has been one of our favorite topics because our software automates processes like redaction and indexing so offices are able to get their records prepared without having to manually go through every page. We also know from surveys that have been conducted that stimulus funds really made a difference in advancing government technology.
County governments, including clerks and recorders, have been adjusting their way of doing business throughout the entirety of the pandemic, but they haven’t let up even as case numbers start to decline. If anything, it seems that some of the changes they’ve made throughout the pandemic have been good case studies for evaluating how different ways of doing business can increase efficiency and citizen satisfaction.
Here are a few projects that county governments have been working on over the past few weeks:
In St. Charles County, Missouri, the Recorder of Deeds moved their marriage license application online. This has cut the in-person appointment time for marriage licenses in half, creating a smoother, safer experience for everyone involved.
In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Recorder of Deeds used people’s increased comfort with being online and having Zoom meetings to launch a social media and video project. Through their posts and Zoom events, the Recorder shared little known history about the people and properties of Bucks County.
It’s not all about access though, departments are streamlining as well. In Champaign County, Illinois, voters have been tasked with deciding whether or not to eliminate the position of the County Recorder. The County Clerk would take over the responsibilities and services wouldn’t be interrupted. This change would mirror similar consolidations that have taken place in other parts of the state.
Other county offices are trying to find new opportunities to offer their services outside of the normal business day. Davidson County, North Carolina’s County Clerk is holding a ‘passport day’ where residents can renew or apply for their passport on a weekend, helping to open up the service to those who aren’t able to get time off during the week.
These aren’t earth-shattering projects, but they’ve been created with the goal of expanding access, saving money, and informing the public, all admirable goals within local government. If you’re interested in taking on a project that involves indexing, redacting, or classifying your documents, please reach out and we’d be happy to set up a demonstration of our software.
About the Author: Chris Mack
Chris is a Marketing Manager at Extract with experience in product development, data analysis, and both traditional and digital marketing. Chris received his bachelor’s degree in English from Bucknell University and has an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. A passionate marketer, Chris strives to make complex ideas more accessible to those around him in a compelling way.