By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Cass County has accumulated $8,000 in the first month of its Register of Deeds automation fund created by a state law which took effect March 31.
Public Act 698 of 2002 causes each county to create a new fund to accounts for funds set aside for upgrading technology in the Register of Deeds office.
Once funds are collected and the Register of Deeds wants to spend them, she must prepare a budget.
If the Board of Commissioners approves her budget, County Clerk-Register Ann Simmons then has authorization to spend from the fund.
That is expected to occur at the commission's next meeting at 4 p.m. May 15.
Simmons wishes to buy a second microfilm reader/printer for the office for citizens to use to copy real estate transaction records stored on microfilm.
In other business, County Administrator Terry Proctor said new Prosecutor Victor Fitz was in Cass County from Muskegon Wednesday looking for a place to live.
One of Fitz's first priorities when he succeeds Scott Teter May 19 will be filling the vacant chief assistant prosecutor's position.
Commissioners paid tribute to county scholars, including Dowagiac Co-Valedictorians Maggie Laing and Rebecca Maxey and Salutatorian Arianne Baker.
The third co-valedictorian, Miss Dowagiac Kristin Rose, was involved in Blossomtime activities.
Commissioners adopted Commissioner Ron Francis' resolution designating May as "Older Americans Month" in recognition of "Cass County's senior citizens and their vital contribution to the community."