For Immediate Release

For more information call: Treasurer Chris Hitchcock 440-285-2222 extension 3860

Geauga County Treasurer Hitchcock Introduces New Image Processing Equipment

Chardon –

Treasurer Christopher P. Hitchcock has introduced new image processing equipment to the Treasury.  After thoroughly examining several avenues, Hitchcock determined Money Processing Systems and Contact Innovations were able to supply a fully automated imaging system for the storage of real estate tax bill stubs and checks at a reasonable cost. 

According to Geauga County Treasurer Chris Hitchcock, “the processing of paper (checks, stubs, etc.), the cost involved with retrieving, sorting, batching and posting tax payments, and the man-hours involved will decrease significantly.  Clearly it was time for the County to get out of the business of physically handling each stub and check a minimum of 8 times and move to a system where the payments will be opened, verified, sorted by the Treasury staff, then processed electronically, thus cutting the processing time in half as well as providing an image of the physical check.” 

“Not only will this system save time and county funds, but the end result will provide an image of every item that goes through Geauga County Treasury.  We have finally moved into the 21^st Century,” said Hitchcock.  “That fact alone will reduce the cost of research fees charged by banks in the event a customer needs a copy of their check or payment.  We will be able to print a copy from an image stored on a CD.  Eventually, it will eliminate the need to store box upon box of stubs, freeing up valuable county office space as well.”

Before the actual equipment was purchased, an OCR line was added to the bottom of the Real Estate Tax bill as a precursor to the system being installed.  That line will aid in the verification and processing of payments.  Hitchcock noted, “this technology will also enhance the accuracy of the check data as the county balances to the penny every single day.  The goal of my office is to process every cent that comes through the office in the most efficient, productive way possible.  This additional equipment will certainly enhance our productivity without adding personnel.”