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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Qualifications,
Implementation,
Pressing issues,
Addressing issues
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 Word limit)
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Answer from Wayne Lippert:
My experience in both the public and private sectors have developed my leadership, management, political, and financial skills to serve the hard working taxpayers of Hamilton County. In a variety of roles, I have developed the ability to evaluate operations, analyze financial statements, construct budgets, and manage teams.
Answer from Wayne Coates:
I have served as County Recorder through one of the worst economic downturns in Hamilton County's history, and even with a severe reduction in personnel I have been able to meet statutory obligations, consolidate resources, and save taxpayers millions of dollars that has assisted commissioners in balancing our county's budget.
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2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Wayne Coates:
This year we have begun the redaction of personal identifying information from over 18 million digital records. I believe it is imperative that we continue to protect an individual's personal and private information from identity theft.
Utilizing electronic recording of documents streamlines the process and minimizes the number of people handling documents. It increases recorder staff efficiency and reduces operational costs associated with a paper-based workflow.
Since 2009 I have placed the Hamilton County Grantor/Grantee Indexes from 1789 through 1988, and over 5,000 subdivision and condominium plats online. I will be placing the redacted images online as well.
Answer from Wayne Lippert:
Online document filing, has been allowed in Ohio for over eleven years and during that time has been adopted by many counties. Unfortunately, Hamilton County lags behind in offering this efficient, time saving service. Similarly, Hamilton County does not provide document images online. I will bring real solutions to the Recorder's Office through technological improvements and increasing access to services. Additionally, I will engage the public and regular users of the office for input in an effort to develop a five-year strategic plan to improve services and increase the office's effectiveness.
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3. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Wayne Lippert:
The two most pressing issues facing the Hamilton County Recorder are ensuring robust public access to the critical services provided by this office and increasing efficiency. Improving the technology of this office will offer significant improvement on both of these issues, but there is more that can be done.
Answer from Wayne Coates:
The budget office is projecting a $429,000 reduction in their 2013 budget forecast for the Hamilton County Recorder's Office. Trying to work within that framework will be extremely problematic given that I have already reduced personnel by 44% in the past four years.
The second problem will be meeting my statutory obligation should the Commissioners approved their 2013 budget office forecast recommendation.
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4. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Wayne Lippert:
Like most county offices, the Recorder's budget has steadily declined for the last several years, but under responsible, experienced management this does not mean that services must suffer. I have experience in the public sector as an aide to then-U.S. Representative Rob Portman and in the private sector as a partner and financial advisor at Truepoint, Inc. I will bring the skill set acquired throughout my career to my job as Recorder so the office provides the highest quality services in a timely, cost effective manner.
Answer from Wayne Coates:
The state legislature sets the recording fees and the Commissioners set the Recorder's Office budget. In 2008 the recorder's operating budget was $2.2 million, and in 2012 it was $1.4 million. I have already reduced personnel from 39 to 22, merged six departments down to three, cross trained personnel,and streamlined operations. Any further reduction could cause office availability issues and document delays.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted.
Answers will be cut off if they exceed a word limit, if present. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
