Clerk of circuit courts proposes new court‑clerks division, asks for one admin hire in 2027

The clerk of circuit courts outlined a reorganization that would place one designated court clerk in each circuit court branch by reallocating two deputies from the criminal section and two from the civil section.

“What we’ve decided to do is take two deputies from each of those areas and create a new division within the office, which would be our court clerks division,” the clerk said, adding that those four staff would “provide that day‑to‑day support that our judges are needing.” She said the change requires no additional budget for the current year and that staff will ask for one administrative clerk in the 2027 budget request.

Board members asked how responsibilities would change. The clerk said the dedicated clerks will handle scheduling, clerking hearings, and communicating with parties — duties that previously were fragmented across departments. “Putting a person up in each of their suites will help them complete their daily tasks, more efficiently,” she said. The clerk also said second‑floor processing staff will be more specialized to follow up on minutes and orders.

No formal action was required; the board accepted the report and will consider the administrative clerk position in next year’s budget process.