Agenda - 02-20-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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L___ 1990 PROGRAM SUMMARY ( 4. PROBLEM/CONCERN (continued) SOLUTION (Describe the steps that were taken by the county/department to remedy the problem or to address the concern. Explain how the program's objectives were met) Users of the land records system were surveyed to determine their interest in having access to the County ' s computer by means of a modem and their own PC. The service was proposed as a subscription and fee system , where users would pay a one-time modest subscription fee ($200) to help pay for the needed equipment (modem, telephone lines , and a port on the super-mini) , and a fee for the time when they are connected and, using the system. The fees were directed toward doing an efficient and specific record search, and then logging-off so that the next user could connect : minutes 1 through 5 were just $1 , minutes 6 ,7 , and 8 were . 50C each, and every minute from 9 and beyond were $1 . Over twenty law firms , appraisers , and real estate offices said they were intersted in the service , and thirteen said they would start immediately. This was enough to begin the service and pay for the equipment . A County Data Processing staff person, working with the Land Records Manager , programmed the software for the computer access system. It allowed users to dial-up the super-mini from their home or office using their modem and PC, and to connect to the Master Inquiry menu of the land records system. The software prompted the user for a password and account number - assigned by the land records office - and upon arrival at the menu they were able to access the data form the various land offices (Land Records , Register of Deeds , Tax Assessor, Tax Collector , County and municipal planning offices , and Environmental Health) . The software kept a record of the date the connection was made , and how much time was used until the person disconnected. It then allowed the Land Records .Manager to generate a bill for each user at the end of a calendar month, and maintain a record of payments . On the monthly bill a due date was printed, and any account not paid within three days following that date was blocked from access automatically by the program. A restore fee was established for late payers ($25) and a correction fee was instituted for users who forgot to dial-off the system ($15 per hour of corrected time) . The County' s objectives were achieved, in that all of the major users of the system subscribed to the service , no additional computer terming have had to be purchased for the last two years , and the service has produced needed revenue to support and maintain the system, and to fund further land record improvements . _ 3