
Total Capital Cost: $180,000.00 Department : 05 – COUNTY CL ERK
Timeline: 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026
Equipment $180,000.00 $180,000.00
Architectu ral & Engineering $0.00
In-house Personnel & Fringe $0.00
Contingenc y/Miscella neous $0.00
Remaining Budget (Leave Blank) $0.00
Total $180,000.00 $180,000.00
Historical FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Future Tot al
Local $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Carryover of Previous Approv ed Funding (Leave Blank) $0.00
Other ( specify s ource(s) in additional comments )) $0.00
Total $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Account Codes (Capital Costs):
New Pu rchase or Replacement
Community & Economic I mpact
Comments from Planning Board
Members :
County Clerk Records Management Software Conversion
Background and Need:The Clerk’s Office and the County Records Management process have been facing significant challenges with their current software system. The existing
software is outdated, no longer capable of meeting the growing demands of the department, and has failed to keep pace with the county’s evolving needs for record
management a nd compliance. As a result, th ere are multiple iss ues hindering the efficiency and accuracy of operations, as well as inc reasing ris ks and liabilities .The current
sys tem struggles to store and ma nage records adequately, leadin g to lost data, d ifficult recor d retrieval, po or-quality s cans, and accounting dis crepancies. A dditionally, it
experiences compatibility iss ues, makin g integration with essential state s ystems, s uch as the New York State Cour t e-Filing Sys tem (NYSCEF), a significant c hallenge. The need
for a mo re reliable, effic ient, and compatible s oftware s olution is urg ent.This sof tware upgra de will provide a u nified platform to address th ese challenges, im prove recor d
management, ensure complia nce, reduce liability risks, and enhance oper ational efficiency . Furthermor e, it will supp ort the long-term g oal of digitizing records, freeing up
valuable s pace and impro ving access ibility acros s county dep artments.Pr oject Scope:Cler k’s Off ice Softwar e: This softw are will be tailored to the specific needs of the Clerk’s
Offic e, ensuring b etter functionality , enhanced complia nce capabilities, a nd streamlined op erations to red uce liability and impr ove overall ef ficiency.Coun ty Records S oftware:
This s oftware will pr ovide a unified solution for record managemen t across a ll departments that s tore their recor ds in the centra lized Records Storage sys tem. The softw are
will su pport the gradu al digitization of physical rec ords while o ffering more ef ficient, user -friendly acc ess to already -digitized rec ords. This transition w ill optimize stor age,
improv e access, an d support lo ng-term operatio nal goals, inc luding creating a more efficient local g overnment.Cu rrent Challenges :System Limitatio ns: The curr ent softwar e
fails to meet the department's gr owing demand s, resultin g in poor-qua lity scanned r ecords, an inability to stor e certain record s, and challen ges in efficiently retrieving
record s.Data Los s: A sys tem crash r esulted in the loss of indexing inf ormation for a pproximately 6 m illion images, s ignificantly imped ing access to r ecords. Th is crash a ffected
at least thr ee departments’ r ecords and caused a sy stem lock-ou t that lasted sever al months, af fecting all other d epartments.O utdated Technology : The softwar e is built on
Orac le's proprietar y coding s tandards, leading to compatibility issues an d difficulties w ith integrating es sential state sy stems like NYSC EF. Moreover , the system is too basic to
support the broad range of records and data required, resulting in improperly categorized data and unsearchable criteria.Accounting Discrepancies: The software’s Point of
Sale (P.O.S.) sys tem has consistently failed to generate accurate reports, causing recurring discrepancies in account balances, some of which may have persisted for
years .Project O bjectives an d Benefits:I mproved Effic iency: The new s oftware will s treamline record management, makin g it easier for staff to locate, retrieve, and ma nage
records quickly and accurately.Enhanced Compliance: The new system will better meet compliance standards, reducing risks r elated to data loss, poor-quality records, and
inaccur ate reporting.Red uced Liability: The n ew system inc ludes redaction settings, allow ing sensitiv e information to b e automatically remov ed or flagged f or person nel
review, reducing the risk of accidental disclosure.Space Optimization: This software does not need to be stored on county servers, freeing up space on current servers and
potentially s aving the cou nty from needin g to purchas e new server s in the near fu ture.Digitizatio n: As phys ical records are digitized, th e need for phy sical storag e will
decrease, freeing up space for other county operations.Increased Revenue (Credit Cards): The new software, including its integrated payment system, will resolve current
revenue lo sses fr om the existing cred it card prov ider and generate ad ditional revenue. Increas ed Revenue (Public Use): With the Cler k’s Off ice softwar e, we will immediately
shift to 100% online subscription revenue, compared to the 70% we currently retain from our existing provider. This change alone is expected to increase revenue by at least
$30,000 annually, with further revenue increases anticipated as more records are digitized and demand for the service grows.Consequences of Delay:Increased Costs: The
longer w e delay this so ftware upgr ade, the more expens ive it will be to maintain the outdated sys tem and fix recu rring iss ues. Additiona lly, the cost of transitioning to a new
sys tem will continue to r ise as the existing system becom es harder to s upport.Con tinued Ineff iciency: Without th is upgrade, the department, and the entire county, will
continue to face inefficiencies in record management, accounting discrepancies, and ongoing risks of data loss. These issues are already hindering the department’s ability to
meet operational and compliance standards.Missed Revenue Opportunities: Delaying this project will prevent the department from fully capturing online subscription revenue.
Additiona lly, postpon ing digitization w ill slow futur e demand for r ecords and services. Ongoing Risk : The crash w e experienced was preventable. O ver a year la ter, we are still
recover ing. The cras h was caus ed by the sy stem’s inability to integrate with o ther softwa re. The longer w e depend on this s oftware, th e greater the risk of further losses. I f
this cr ash had occu rred in the Clerk ’s Offic e software, we would hav e had to hire and tr ain staff immedia tely to correct the lo sses. F ortunately, the c rash affec ted only inactive
record s, allowing us to recover with fewer r esources. Public and Staf f Impact:P ublic Access : A more efficient a nd reliable softw are sys tem will improve acc ess to recor ds,
enabling the public to search and retrieve documents both in-office and online. This will reduce the need for in-person visits, benefiting genealogists, out-of-state researchers
and searchers, fuel and electric companies, attorneys, surveyors, historians, and others, while also protecting physical records from improper handling.Staff Efficiency: The
upgrade will reduce the time staff in all affected departments spend on retrieving records, handling discrepancies, and performing administrative tasks, allowing them to focus
on higher -value activities . This will dir ectly contribute to our goal of a mo re efficient local go vernment.Cos t and Feasibility :One-Time Fee: The tota l cost for pr ofessiona l
serv ices, including the transition f rom the curren t software to the new sys tem, is $96, 300. This one-time fee cover s installation, setup, and c ustomization to meet the
department’s needs.Recurring Annual Fee: The software will require an ongoing annual fee of $82,937. This fee covers the software itself, along with continued support,
updates , and maintenance th roughout the co ntract period. Current Softw are Costs : During the tra nsition, the depa rtment will continue to incur costs related to the existing
softw are, budgeted a t $113,1 00 annually . Once the trans ition is complete, the annual softw are cost w ill decrease by $ 30,163 , as the new s ystem’s a nnual fee will repla ce the
current software fees.Revenue Impact: By capturing 100% of online subscription revenue, we expect an annual revenue increase of at least $30,000. Additionally, as more
records are digitized, we anticipate a 10% increase in demand for subscription-based access by the end of 2027, with a projected 50% increase over the following 5
years .Alternatives Considered:C ontinued Use of Exis ting Softw are: Retaining the cur rent softw are would res ult in ongoing inef ficiencies, s ystem cras hes, and incr easing
supp ort costs, while delaying dig itization and pr olonging stor age challenges. Custom Develop ment: Custom-bu ilding a new sy stem would tak e years to dev elop, test, and
implement, and could incur significantly higher costs than upgrading to an established solution. While feasible, this is not the best option for Chautauqua. A county of this size
is better s erved by utiliz ing existing too ls rather than reinventing the w heel.In-Ho use System D evelopment: Develo ping an in-hou se solution w ould require s ignificant
investm ent in time and resou rces, includ ing additional sta ff and expertis e. There is als o the risk that th e solution may no t meet the department’s evolving needs .New Softw are:
Initia lly, the benefits o f the new sys tem’s reliability and functionality seemed like a no- brainer. But up on further r esearch, I found that the n ew option is no t only more reliable
but als o cheaper an d will genera te more reven ue. This is an offer w e cannot ref use.Why the Recommended A lternative?C ost-Effec tiveness: The new sof tware off ers a mor e
reliable and efficient solution at a lower cos t. The one-time fee of $ 96,300 for the trans ition, along w ith the reduced ann ual cost of $ 82,937 , represents significan t savings
compared to continuing with the current system, which costs $113,10 0 annually. This upgrade will result in long-term cost reductions.Revenue Potential: The new payment
sys tem within the sof tware will eliminate on going losses from the cur rent credit card provider. A dditionally, by transitionin g to the new softw are, we can c apture 100% of the
online su bscription r evenue, leading to an annual increas e of at least $3 0,000 . As more rec ords are dig itized, we anticip ate substantial r evenue growth , making this software
upgrade a self-sustaining investment.Efficiency Gains: The new software will resolve ongoing issues with sys tem crashes, data loss, and accounting discrepancies, improving
internal operations and public-facing services. The unified platform across departments will streamline record management, improve access to records, and reduce the risk of
data los s or misman agement, provid ing immediate benefits f or staff ef ficiency.Fu ture-Proof ing: The softw are is scalab le, adaptable, and compatible with fu ture needs,
ensuring the department can handle growth and change in the years to come.Conclusion:This software upgrade is essential for the continued success of the Clerk’s Office and
County Records Manag ement. The transitio n to a more modern , reliable, and co st-effective s oftware s ystem will addr ess the sign ificant issu es currently faced, includin g data
loss , inefficient reco rd management, an d compliance challen ges. By adop ting this solutio n, the County w ill improve oper ational efficiency , reduce liability r isks, an d generate
additional r evenue, all while s upporting th e long-term goal of digitizing reco rds and op timizing stora ge space.The new system off ers both immediate b enefits and long -term
financial sustainability, ensuring the continued effectiveness of the department while safeguarding historical and permanent records for future generations, as well as
streamlin ing operations across a ll affected departmen ts. The lower c ost, combined w ith increased r evenue potential and improved oper ational capabilities, makes this th e best
and most financially responsible choice for the County.
Why Now? Consequences of Delay:Increased Costs: The longer we delay this software upgrade, the more expensive it will be to maintain
the outdated s ystem and f ix recurring is sues. Ad ditionally, the co st of trans itioning to a new s ystem will con tinue to rise as th e existing
system becomes harder to support.Continued Inefficiency: Without this upgrade, the department, and the entire county, will continue to
face inefficiencies in record management, accounting discrepancies, and ongoing risks of data loss. These issues are already hindering
the departm ent’s ability to meet op erational and com pliance standar ds.Miss ed Revenue Oppor tunities: Delayin g this proj ect will prevent
the departm ent from fully c apturing online s ubscriptio n revenue. Add itionally, pos tponing digitiza tion will slow f uture demand for
recor ds and s ervices. Ongoing Ris k: The cr ash we exper ienced was preventable. Over a y ear later, w e are still rec overing. The crash w as
caused by the sys tem’s inability to in tegrate with other software. The longer we depen d on this sof tware, the gr eater the risk of further
loss es. If th is crash h ad occurred in the Clerk’s O ffice softw are, we wou ld have had to hir e and train staf f immediately to cor rect the
loss es. Fortun ately, the cras h affected only in active records , allowing us to recover w ith fewer res ources.
Background and Need:The Clerk’s Office and the County Records Management process have been facing significant challenges with their
current software system. The existing software is outdated, no longer capable of meeting the growing demands of the department, and
has failed to keep pace with the county’s evolving needs for record management and compliance. As a result, there are multiple issues
hinderin g the efficiency an d accuracy o f operations , as well as in creasing ris ks and liab ilities.The curr ent system s truggles to s tore and
manage r ecords adequa tely, leading to los t data, difficu lt record retriev al, poor-q uality scans , and accoun ting discrepan cies. Additionally ,
it experiences compatibility iss ues, makin g integration with essential state s ystems, s uch as the New York State Cour t e-Filing Sys tem
(NYSCEF ), a signif icant challenge. The n eed for a more r eliable, efficient, an d compatible sof tware solution is urgent.This softwar e
upgrade will provide a unified platform to address these challenges, improve record management, ensure compliance, reduce liability
risk s, and enhan ce operational eff iciency. Fur thermore, it will s upport the long -term goal of dig itizing record s, freeing u p valuable spac e
and impr oving access ibility acros s county d epartments.Pr oject Scope:C lerk’s Of fice Softwar e: This softw are will be tailor ed to the specific
needs of the Clerk’s O ffice, ensu ring better func tionality, enhanc ed compliance capab ilities, and str eamlined operations to reduce liability
and impr ove overall eff iciency.County Records S oftware: This software w ill provide a un ified solution f or record ma nagement acros s all
departmen ts that store their records in the centralized Recor ds Stora ge system. Th e software w ill support the g radual digitiza tion of
phys ical records while offering more efficient, u ser-friend ly access to a lready-digitiz ed records . This trans ition will optimize s torage,
improv e access, an d support lo ng-term operatio nal goals, inc luding creating a more efficient local g overnment.
.Pro ject Objectiv es and Benefits: Improv ed Efficiency: The n ew softwar e will streamline r ecord management, making it easier for staff to
locate, retrieve, and manage records quickly and accurately.Enhanced Compliance: The new system will better meet compliance
standards, reducing risks r elated to data loss, poor-quality records, and inaccurate reporting.Reduced Liability: The new system includes
redaction settings, allo wing sensitiv e information to be automatically remo ved or flagg ed for pers onnel review, r educing the ris k of
accidental disclosure.Space Optimization: This software does not need to be stored on county servers, freeing up space on current
servers and potentially saving the county from needing to purchase new servers in the near future.Digitization: As physical records are
digitized, the need for physical storage will decrease, freeing up space for other county operations.Increased Revenue (Credit Cards): The
new so ftware, inclu ding its integra ted payment sys tem, will reso lve current r evenue losses from the existing credit card pr ovider and
generate ad ditional revenue.I ncreas ed Revenue (Public U se): With the Clerk ’s Off ice software, we will immediately s hift to 100% online
subscription revenue, compared to the 70% we currently retain from our existing provider. This change alone is expected to increase
revenue by at least $30,000 annually, with further revenue increases anticipated as more records are digitized and demand for the
serv ice grows .Conseq uences of D elay:In creased Co sts: The lo nger we delay this sof tware upg rade, the mor e expensive it w ill be to
maintain the o utdated system and fix recurr ing issues . Additionally, the cost of tr ansitioning to a n ew system w ill continue to ris e as the
existing system becomes harder to support.Continued Inefficiency: Without this upgrade, the department, and the entire county, will
continue to face inefficiencies in record management, accounting discrepancies, and ongoing risks of data loss. These issues are already
hindering the department’s ability to meet operational and compliance standards.Missed Revenue Opportunities: Delaying this project
will prev ent the department fr om fully captu ring online sub scription r evenue. Additiona lly, postpon ing digitization w ill slow futur e
demand f or recor ds and s ervices. Ongoing Ris k: The cr ash we exper ienced was preventable. Over a y ear later, w e are still rec overing. The
cras h was caus ed by the sys tem’s inability to integrate with oth er softwar e. The longer we d epend on this so ftware, the gr eater the risk
of fur ther losses . If this crash had occurred in th e Clerk’s O ffice softw are, we would have had to hire a nd train staf f immediately to
corr ect the losses. Fortunately, the crash aff ected only inactiv e records, allowing us to r ecover with f ewer resour ces.
Proj ect Objectives and Benefits:I mproved Ef ficiency: The new software w ill streamline reco rd management, m aking it easier f or staff to
locate, retrieve, and manage records quickly and accurately.Enhanced Compliance: The new system will better meet compliance
standards, reducing risks r elated to data loss, poor-quality records, and inaccurate reporting.Reduced Liability: The new system includes
redaction settings, allo wing sensitiv e information to b e automatically remo ved or flagged for perso nnel review, r educing the risk of
accidental disclosure.Space Optimization: This software does not need to be stored on county servers, freeing up space on current
servers and potentially saving the county from needing to purchase new servers in the near future.Digitization: As physical records are
digitized, the need for physical storage will decrease, freeing up space for other county operations.Increased Revenue (Credit Cards): The
new so ftware, inclu ding its integra ted payment sys tem, will reso lve current r evenue losses from the existing credit card pr ovider and
generate ad ditional revenue.I ncreas ed Revenue (Public U se): With the Clerk ’s Off ice software, we will immediately s hift to 100% online
subscription revenue, compared to the 70% we currently retain from our existing provider. This change alone is expected to increase
revenue by at least $30,000 annually, with further revenue increases anticipated as more records are digitized and demand for the
Alternativ es Consider ed:Continued Use o f Existing Sof tware: Retaining the c urrent sof tware would r esult in ongoing inefficiencies, system
crashes, and increasing support costs, w hile delaying digitization and prolonging storage challenges.Custom Development: Custom-
building a new system would take years to develop, test, and implement, and could incur significantly higher costs than upgrading to an
establis hed solution. W hile feasible, this is not the best o ption for Chau tauqua. A coun ty of this s ize is better ser ved by utilizin g existing
tools rather than reinventing the wheel.In-House System Development: Developing an in-house solution would require significant
investm ent in time and resou rces, includ ing additional sta ff and expertis e. There is als o the risk that th e solution may no t meet the
departmen t’s evolving needs.New So ftware: I nitially, the benefits of the new sy stem’s reliab ility and functio nality seemed like a n o-
brainer. But upon further research, I found that the new option is not only more reliable but also cheaper and will generate more
reven ue. This is an offer w e cannot ref use.Why the Recommended A lternative?C ost-Eff ectiveness : The new sof tware off ers a mor e
reliable and efficient solution at a lower cos t. The one-time fee of $ 96,300 for the trans ition, along w ith the reduced ann ual cost of
$82,937 , represents significant savings compared to continuing with the current system, which costs $113 ,100 annually. This upgrade
will res ult in long-term co st reductions .Revenue Potential: The new payment s ystem within th e software w ill eliminate ongoing los ses
from the current credit card provider. Additionally, by transitioning to the new software, we can capture 100% of the online subscription
revenue, leading to an annu al increase of a t least $30, 000. As more records are digitized, we anticipate sub stantial revenue g rowth,
making th is softwa re upgrade a s elf-sustain ing investment. Efficiency Gain s: The new so ftware will res olve ongoing is sues with system
crashes, data loss, and accounting discrepancies, improving internal operations and public-facing services. The unified platform across
departmen ts will streamlin e record managem ent, improve acc ess to recor ds, and r educe the risk o f data loss o r mismanagement,
prov iding immediate benefits for staff efficiency.F uture-Proo fing: The softw are is sca lable, adaptable, an d compatible with f uture needs,
ensuring the department can handle growth and change in the years to come.
Cost an d Feasibility:O ne-Time Fee: The total cos t for prof essional s ervices, inc luding the trans ition from the cur rent softw are to the new
sys tem, is $96 ,300. Th is one-time fee cov ers installation , setup, and customization to meet the department’s needs.Recurr ing Annual
Fee: The software will require an ongoing annual fee of $82,93 7. This fee covers the software itself, along with continued support,
updates, and maintenance throughout the contract period.Current Software Costs: During the transition, the department will continue to
incur c osts related to th e existing softw are, budgeted a t $113,1 00 annually . Once the trans ition is complete, the annual softw are cost will
decreas e by $30 ,163, as the new s ystem’s annual fee w ill replace the c urrent so ftware fees .Revenue I mpact: By capturing 1 00% of
online subscription revenue, we expect an annual revenue increase of at least $30,00 0. Additionally, as more records are digitized, we
anticipate a 10% increase in demand for subscription-based access by the end of 2027, with a projected 50% increase over the following
5 years.
"I like how this s oftware will a llow for reco rd retrieveal to o ccur online. Th is will be a major step forw ard in moderniz ing County r ecord
keeping. However, I think that there should be no subscription charged for this online service. In my opinion, the County should be doing
everything it can to increase access to government records and adding a paywall hinders this goal"
This pr oject will not af fect local energy statistics.
Conclusion:This software upgrade is essential for the continued success of the Clerk’s Office and County Records Management. The
trans ition to a more moder n, reliable, and cost-effectiv e software s ystem will add ress the sig nificant issu es currently faced, includin g
data los s, inefficient r ecord management, and compliance c hallenges. By ad opting this s olution, the County will improve o perational
efficiency , reduce liability risks, and generate additio nal revenue, all w hile supportin g the long-term go al of digitizing r ecords and
optimizin g storage s pace.The new sy stem offers both immediate benefits and long-ter m financial sus tainability, ens uring the contin ued
effectiven ess of the depa rtment while saf eguarding his torical and per manent records for futur e generations, as well as s treamlining
operations across all affected departments. The lower cost, combined with increased revenue potential and improved operational
capabilities , makes this the best and mos t financially res ponsible cho ice for the County .
No ass ociated health or s afety risk