A Colfax man who previously worked as Director of the Jasper County Historical Museum is the Jasper County Board of Supervisors choice to serve as County Recorder for the rest of this year. The formal appointment of Joe Otto is to be approved at Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting. Otto was one of three candidates interviewed by the County Supervisors this week, and his selection was a unanimous decision. Last year, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors granted Otto permission to help the county digitize some historical drainage district maps. Board Chair Thad Nearmyer says Otto’s interview stood out.

“We asked the same set of questions, and we felt he had an innovative style that we appreciated. We feel his experience outside of government includes a good list of achievements that lead us to think he would be a great fit.”

Nearmyer adds that Otto was noncommittal about whether he would run to retain the position in the upcoming election.

One of the other candidates who was interviewed, Deputy Recorder Michelle Hull, has worked in the County Recorder’s Office for several years under former County Recorder Denise Allen. Allen, who was elected in November 2014, retired at the end of December.