LISBON - Columbiana County Recorder Craig Brown has begun his own discussions with Chesapeake Energy about extending office hours to help the company process the record number of oil and gas leases needing recorded.
Brown, in a news release issued this week, said Chesapeake Energy's Wayne Anderson called him the week before to discuss extending office hours. Anderson coordinates the company's title-lease work.
"He expressed that Chesapeake would like the recorder's office to not only be open longer hours, but that Chesapeake would be willing to pay whatever costs the county would incur to make that possible," he said.
The news comes about two months after county Commissioner Mike Halleck first reported that Chesapeake officials contacted him about paying to keep the recorder's office open longer to process deed searches and record leases. Chesapeake, which advertises itself as the nation's second-biggest natural gas producer, holds the most acreage under lease in the county.
Brown said at the time he would agree to extend his office hours, provided it was open to anyone and not just Chesapeake employees. "I was assured by Mr. Anderson that Chesapeake is willing to allow the general public access at the same time as its employees," he said.
Brown sent commissioners a letter seeking their assistance because he needs to know what the additional courthouse costs would be associated with extended office hours besides just paying his staff. The combined figures would then be forwarded to Chesapeake.
"We need to have the commissioners' cooperation in order to make this happen. I can keep my office open, but the commissioners have to make arrangements for security and other necessary costs," he said.
The issue was brought up briefly at this week's board of commissioners meeting by Halleck, who indicated they were moving forward on the issue but made no mention of Brown's letter on the subject.
