Fulton County auditor wins council OK to start $104,000 digitization project, pending commissioners' sign-off

Fulton County's auditor on Jan. 21 won council approval to begin a $104,000 records digitization project with ArcaSearch, pending final review and signature by the county commissioners.

Auditor Kathy described the proposal as a scan-and-publish service for plat books, transfer books, minutes, ordinances, resolutions and other records to a searchable cloud-based site. She told the council the on-site scanning and first-year maintenance cost would be $104,000 and yearly maintenance thereafter would be $4,100. "To do the on-site work and to do the website is going to be $104,000 with the first year of maintenance on the website included in that 104,000," Kathy said.

Members discussed funding sources and recommended using host-fee revenue (the landfill host fee) rather than bond proceeds or general taxpayer funds. Patty moved to authorize the project using host-fee funds; Chase seconded. Council recorded a voice vote approving the motion and added a stipulation that final contract approval is subject to the county commissioners' review.

Kathy said she will bring an additional appropriation to the next council meeting and begin paperwork. "I'll sign the paperwork, and we'll get the process," she said.

Next steps: Auditor will present a formal appropriation at the next council meeting and submit the formal contract to the commissioners for final approval before work begins.