The Warren County Commission finalized a decision to create a full-time position of recorder of deeds. The position will be filled next year when the November election is held. The election winner will take office Jan. 1, 2011. The separation of the circuit clerk and recorder offices was unanimously approved by the county commission Monday. Later that afternoon, the salary commission, consisting of elected officials within the county, voted to set the base pay for the recorder at $49,500, the same salary received by the county clerk, collector, assessor and treasurer. A new face would fill the opening. Jerri Jordan, who is currently in her third term serving as circuit clerk ex officio recorder, confirmed she would seek a fourth term as circuit clerk. The filing period for county positions begins Feb. 23, 2010, and ends March 30. "The main thing is the efficiency of the office," Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said. The commissioners felt the timing was right to provide a full-time position for the recorder since a new administration building should be completed by next fall. Had Jordan remained in charge of both departments, she would have been forced to run both in two separate buildings located more than a mile apart. "Once we decided to split (county department offices), it became logical at that point to split the offices," Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said. The commission favored opening the position for the next upcoming election rather than appointing a person to fill the unexpired term or holding a special election. "It will be open and fair for everybody," Engelage said. "I think now is a good time." Jordan agreed with the move made by the commissioners. She admitted most of her time has been dealing with a growing and heavier workload in the circuit clerk's office. Fortunately, she had three full-time employees in the recorder's office to depend on. "I think the time is right," she said. "I think growth-wise we reached this point a few years ago. "I think the citizens will be well served by a full-time recorder," Jordan said. The recorder is responsible for filing numerous documents, including real estate transactions, land transfers, divorces and marriage licenses. The commissioners raised the possibility about separating both offices last week when the salary commission met to determine the pay for elected officials in 2011. However, the decision was delayed until the commissioners could get a legal recommendation on the proper procedure to create the position and where to set the base salary.