HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. -- Hancock County has proposed making sexual and violent offenders pay an annual fee to appear on a mandatory list.

The $50 fee would offset the expense of monitoring the offenders through an online database, said acting Hancock County Sheriff Donnie Munden.

"It's going to make the registration process smoother," he told 6News' Renee Jameson. "I think it will make it more efficient, and it's going to make it easier for the community to check and see if there's a sex or violent offender nearby their residence."

The county already has a tracking website, but Munden said the fee would bring in $5,000 a year to help maintain the database.

Ken Falk, director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, said state law allows a county to adopt the $50 a year fee for people who must register on the sex and violent offender registry.

Several other counties are already imposing the fee.

"This particular horse has left the barn," he said. "The Legislature has said the fee can be assessed, but I think this is something that certainly isn't voluntarily."

Hancock County commissioners would need to sign off on the policy, which they are expected to discuss at a meeting next week.

Munden, who recently took on the role of acting sheriff after the arrest of Sheriff Bud Gray on obstruction charges, said he wants to restore the department's image.

"We've got a fine group of men and women that work here that are capable and professional enough to do their job and to keep Hancock County a safe place to live," he said.

Gray relinquished his duties to Munden, but will continue to get paid his salary. His term expires at the end of this year and he is not seeking re-election.