Clark County Auditor George Sodders is spearheading the use of credit cards to make payments via the web for licensing fees, utility bills and other payments that are approved by county departments.

Sodders recommended to county commissioners the adoption of a resolution giving departments the option to accept credit card payments.

“I think this is a real convenience for taxpayers and there is no additional cost to the county for providing this service,” Sodders said. “In addition, these services are proven to be safe and secure for taxpayers, and there is no hassle with returned checks,” Sodders explained.

Upon the recommendation of Sodders, County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution today, paving the way to solicit bids from potential providers.

Clark County Auditor George Sodders is partnering with Springfield City to eliminate duplication of services provided by their geographical information systems (GIS). Sodders said that the county will provide hosting services for the city’s geographical system, which includes both city and county enterprise zones, traffic lights, street lights, all locations of fire and EMS stations, water hydrants, and sewer and water lines. The joint effort will provide one-stop shopping for users. Sodders said that the elimination of duplication will boost the county’s economic development initiatives. “Today, our GIS system is utilized by developers, local and national businesses and industries looking to locate or expand operations in the county, and the Community Improvement Corporation,” Sodders said.

Sodders explained that he is also enhancing the system to include scanned sewer construction images for the city, a search for lost dogs, a tax estimator for property owners, and new street level imagery for property owners, developers, realtors, and law enforcement.

Sodders states, “These are times of great challenge to those in public service. With shrinking resources to meet growing demands, we must continue to find ways to operate more efficiently to reduce costs, while maintaining a high level of basic services to all our citizens.”

“In the auditor’s office, we have pursued initiatives to streamline operations to hold down operating costs. At the same time, we have aggressively sought to acquire and implement the latest technology that not only make us more efficient, but also makes government more transparent,” Sodders said.

“Our new web page gives citizens access to all the public information maintained by our office. Never before in the history of Clark County has access to financial data, real estate property records, and government documents been more readily available to the public,” Sodders said.

“Not only do our citizens have greater access to public records in the auditor’s office, they have greater access to me and other public servants working in my office. My web page lists names, phone numbers and email addresses that make contact with our office simple and easy, explained Sodders.

“While I am tempted to boast about change, transparency and past achievements, I remain committed to the constant reexamination of operating procedures that promote efficiency and reduce costs. Taxpayers demand and deserve the very best from their public servants. And that’s exactly what I will continue to give them,” Sodders concluded.

 As your county auditor for the past 19 years, I have seen firsthand the hardships faced by senior citizens, living in fear of losing their home because of ever-rising property taxes. That’s why reforming Ohio’s Homestead Exemption Program was so important to hundreds of thousands of our senior citizens.

In Clark County, we now have over 11,000 senior homeowners enrolled in the homestead program, saving on average $399 per year in taxes. If you will reach age 65 any time during 2010 or are disabled, you have until June 7th to sign up for this important tax-saving program. For an application, go to clarkcountyauditor.org or call 521-1862.

If you are already in the program, you will automatically receive a renewal application by U.S. mail. If there is no change in your eligibility, you are not required to return this form. If there has been a change, simply make the change and send it back in to our office. But remember, you must apply by June 7th to receive this tax deduction.

Download Homestead Application Here.

To avoid a penalty, dog owners must purchase 2010 dog tags by February 1, according to Clark County Auditor George Sodders. The cost is $20 and will increase to $40 after the February 1 deadline. A list of locations where tags can be purchased is posted on the auditor’s web page at www.clarkcountyauditor.org, or owners can call 521-1862 for information.

“Registering and licensing your dog is not just the law, it is the only means by which the owner of a lost or injured animal can be located,” Sodders explained. “Protect your pet and buy a license today,” Sodders said.