PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE | THE VILLAGE REPORTER
IT UPDATE … The data board discusses IT software compliance with House Bill 96’s cybersecurity mandate.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
A series of Williams County Record Commissions and Boards met for their first 2026 meeting on January 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
The meetings largely focused on fulfilling their statutory meeting requirements, alongside a discussion of disbanding the Microfilm Board.
The Williams County Board of Revision began with the election of chair, vice chair, and secretary. County Commissioner Scott Lirot was elected as chair in his absence, Treasurer Kellie Gray as vice, and Auditor Vickie Grimm as secretary.
Immediately following the brief meeting, a Records Commission was held. They first approved the minutes from the July 22, 2025 session.
Recorder Patti Rockey, Grimm, and Clerk of Courts Nick Lanzer were in attendance. With no retention schedules presented, this meeting took care of their mandatory twice-a-year assembly.
A Microfilm Board meeting was held afterwards. In attendance: Chair Rockey, Gray, Grimm, and Lanzer. Rockey opened with a discussion on the possibility of abolishing the board.
With the availability of microfilm services becoming harder to obtain, she believes that the county may no longer have use for the system in the near future.
“We are struggling to find people for microfilm,” Rockey explained. “A Microfilm Board can become very confusing for county people.
“I would like to propose to the board that we make a recommendation to abolish the board to the Commissioners, because it’s not necessary and overly cumbersome for the county to understand.”
Jeremy Suffel, IT Manager of Williams County, moved forward to recommend different ways to store records.
“I personally don’t feel comfortable with just digital (record storage). I would say that digital, with adequate air-gap EMP protected in a fire-proof and water-proof safe, would be best.”
The board moved to approve the minutes from the February 20, 2025 session. Rockey got approval to move forward with the potential abolishment of the Microfilm Board and will seek a meeting with the commissioners.
Finally, the Data Board was the fourth and final meeting held on Monday afternoon.
In attendance: Chair Grimm, Lanzer, Gray, Rocky, County Prosecutor Katie Zartman, and County Engineer Todd Roth. They first approved the October 14, 2025 minutes.
Suffel gave a data processing software overview. He provided updates on several upgrades and renovations. Suffel also announced a new “virtual infrastructure” that will soon be implemented within the county.
He detailed that it was “hyper-coverage” and will include five nodes that will network within the area. The quote received was very under-budget, coming in at around $300,000, with originally $500,000 allocated for the project.
Suffel continued to update the data board by explaining that he believes they are fully compliant with House Bill 96.
He also noted that they will not know for sure until they receive their technology audit for the year. With no further business, the Board adjourned at 2:20 p.m.