By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Register of Deeds John Brindle will get new software for his department, but he failed to convince commissioners to restore a position being cut in the upcoming budget.
Brindle appealed to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners Monday evening for help with personnel, equipment and software.
His most immediate problem is a threat from Secretary of State Elaine Marshall that any register failing to comply with the state’s minimum standards will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and could face removal from office.
Brindle, who became Register of Deeds in November, described outdated equipment in the office including software from 1984. He detailed the various problems including systems that aren’t compatible.
He noted that the office recently switched from doing marriage licenses on typewriters to computers.
Commissioners agreed to seek proposals from various vendors for the needed software and equipment.
Under the plan, the county will advance the money to buy the equipment, with the Register of Deeds office repaying it over three or four years.
Brindle said he will use money from a fund where 10 percent of fees is set aside for automation and preservation.
Bobbie Earnhardt, the prior Register of Deeds, had used the money to pay for an employee.
Brindle said he’s willing to give up that position currently in favor of upgrading the office.
But Brindle told commissioners a plan to eliminate another position would severely handicap his department and its ability to serve the public. The position is vacant and has been frozen since the county implemented a hiring freeze.
Brindle said eliminating one position has cut his staff by 10 percent, taking another will be a 20 percent cut.
County Manager Gary Page noted that business in the office has fallen off because of the downturn in real estate.
Revenue is off 25 percent this year.
Page suggested waiting six months after the new system is in to see whether another employee is needed.
In other business, the board:
– Agreed to allow the Rowan Fair Association access to the county-owned fairground after June 1 to make improvements to the demolition derby area, the animal barn and septic tank. The repairs will be made at no cost to the county.
– Approved several appointments to various boards, including Quentin Woodward Jr. to the Rowan Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees. He replaces J. Newton Cohen Sr. who did not wish to be reappointed.
The board reappointed William Beilfuss and John Burke to the PBH Board, the regional mental health authority.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.