County Recorder announces March retirement

Janelle Schneider gave report to the Adair County supervisors last week that she intends to retire March 5, 2024 as county recorder. The county began advertising for a replacement for her.

Schneider typed a statement for the newspaper regarding her upcoming retirement. In it, she expressed gratitude for those who have been there for her along the way and to voters who have elected her for six terms, the latest being in 2022.

“It’s been an honor serving as your Adair County Recorder. I think it’s time for me to step aside and let someone else take over this position that I have held so dear to my heart. It’s time to direct my attention to my family,” Schneider said. “I want this to be a smooth transition for everyone. Both of my employees have agreed to stay and help the new Recorder. They have a combined total of 31 years of experience in the office. The new person will be in good hands.”

Schneider went on to say that to help an upcoming transition, she will stay on for a month to help train. She said she has always been passionate about the work of the Recorder’s office and looks forward to the future accomplishments of the new Recorder and their staff.

The recorder’s office has accomplished much under Schneider’s careful watch. She said she’s seen a lot of changes occur in her 38 years working in the courthouse and 21 as recorder.

After working for Cora McClain in the treasurer’s office, Schneider became Priscilla McClelland’s deputy recorder for eight years, then was elected recorder.

“I believe my office’s greatest accomplishment was working together with the Recorder’s Association in getting the Iowa Land Records website up and running in 2005,” Schneider said. She went on to say the website benefits attorneys, abstractors and the general public alike.

Getting that website up and running involved scanning images of recorded documents dating back to 1990. The main purpose of the website was to make sure Adair County constituents’ records were preserved and readily available, Schneider said. Later on, a large-scale project allowed for documents to be scanned dating back to 1978.

“This was an overwhelming three-year process but we stuck with it and got it completed,” Schneider said. “I am so proud of this accomplishment.”

In 2023, recorders, auditors and engineers across Iowa together completed an extensive digitization project of historical records using COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government.

“By digitizing these historic documents, Adair County can ensure these valuable records have been preserved and backed up electronically in case of a disaster,” Schneider said. “Our county partnered with Cott’s online index system that offers online access to these records. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we could accomplish this.”

One of the guiding principles Schneider has held throughout her career is to always be moving forward.

“Throughout the years our office has completed so many awesome projects to modernize the office,” Schneider said. “As you can tell, I believe modernization is the key to a successful county whether it is big or small.”