SMETHPORT – McKean County’s court system could soon become even
more user-friendly.

On Tuesday, the county commissioners unanimously agreed to enter
into an agreement with the National Center for State Courts of
Denver, Colo., to perform an evaluative study of the county’s
prothonotary/clerk of courts office – which has seen an increased
workload due to a hike in criminal and civil cases.

“This is a very important initiative and I strongly support it,”
McKean County President Judge John Cleland said while delivering a
presentation on the study along with Bonnie Moore Howard, the
prothonotary and clerk of courts.

The total price tag for the study is $21,700, of which the
county will be responsible for $14,700. In turn, the center will
contribute $7,000 in technical assistance funds for the project.
Commissioner Chairman Clifford Lane said the county’s portion will
likely come out of the general fund.

County officials said the study will begin the week of July 16;
two consultants will come to the county and perform two on-site
visits. The consultants will then deliver a final report and offer
suggestions on what can be done to make the office more efficient.
They will also assist the county in implementing a plan.

Cleland said county officials should know before the end of the
year which direction to go. There was no exact date given on when a
final report could be issued.

“This will help enhance the efficiency of county government,”
Cleland said.

According to Howard, there are currently around 700 civil cases
on file in the office, along with around 350 criminal cases –
leading to an enormous amount of paperwork. Howard said both
figures have risen from last year.

“The criminal case files are historically unprecedented,”
Cleland said, adding the number of civil cases is not only up, but
they are more complex. “We have to find a way to manage this paper
more efficiently and look at how it’s handled.”

Echoing Cleland’s statement, Lane said “Bonnie’s office is
literally drowning in paper.”

According to Cleland, the study will look at how records are
maintained, stored, retrieved and protected, among other aspects.
Officials said the study will also review office procedures, staff
and equipment needs and reporting requirements for state court and
administrative agencies.

County officials agreed that if anything were to happen to the
records, it would cause a large disruption to the court system.

“The prothonotary’s office is an important public resource,”
Cleland said, adding a natural disaster or fire at the courthouse
could wipe out the record-keeping system. “We can’t afford to have
that happen. In some respects we are chipping in stone in some of
these offices. Not only in this county, but other counties as
well.”

Cleland said the records need to be accessible in case something
does occur to the office.

“Bonnie has the chance to be on the cutting-edge here,” Cleland
said, adding some measures could involve digitalization or scanning
of the paperwork and files.

Since entering office nearly four years ago, the commissioners
have sought to enhance the courthouse’s computer capabilities,
bringing the system into the 21st Century. As it stands, the court
system already is tapped into the state judicial system via the
computer.

Earlier this year, county officials approved of establishing a
second court monitor position to help with the overload of cases,
which are spread out between Cleland and Judge John Yoder.

In other news, the commissioners unanimously entered into a
monthly rental agreement with Smethport Self Storage on behalf of
the county’s Department of Human Services.

Officials said the storage company will provide locked
facilities for various furnishings used by Children and Youth
Services to assist children. The county will pay a monthly fee of
$65; the first month’s fee is prorated at $42.

Lastly, Lane said after the meeting that, despite rumors to the
contrary, he is still running for re-election on the Democratic
ticket in the fall general election.

Lane and Judy Church will square off against two Republicans,
Joe DeMott and Al Pingie.