Convergent to Bring Ind. County's Property, Land Records Online

OCT. 25 ? Convergent Group Corp. has won a $3.6 million contract to put online the property tax and land records systems of Marion County, Ind.

By Gail Repsher Emery,
Staff Writer



OCT. 25 ? Convergent Group Corp. has won a $3.6 million contract to put online the property tax and land records systems of Marion County, Ind.


Under the 14-month contract, Convergent Group of Englewood, Colo., will deliver key digital government components, including an automated property tax administration system and an integrated land records system.

The company also will provide consulting to re-engineer the county's business processes.


The project is jointly funded by several agencies: township assessors and the county's auditor, treasurer, assessor and recorder.


With the new digital system, all of the county's property tax billing and collection records and supporting data will be available online.


"With the current system, citizens need to visit up to three offices to transact business or get basic tax information. The new digital system will make property tax records available in a single stop," said Jim Baxter, Convergent Group executive vice president.


County officials said the project will improve customer service and employee productivity by reducing paper records; improve the generation of tax revenue; ensure citizens a fair, equitable and timely taxation process; increase interest earnings on county funds; reduce costs for records maintenance; and help expedite land development processes.


"This endeavor will enable all facets of local government to be responsive to the taxpayers and citizens in their daily requests for services," said Paul Ricketts, Lawrence Township assessor.