Clerk tells council she expects more than $2.5 million in 2027 revenue, answers staffing questions

Marion County Clerk Kate Swinney Bell told the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday that the clerk's office estimates "over $2,500,000 in revenue next year in 2027," funding operations and service lines tied to court fees, bonds, child-support payments and licensing contracts. She delivered a printed presentation to committee members and answered follow-up questions about staffing and service volumes.

Councilors pressed for clarity on staffing changes the clerk described. Councilor Delaney asked why staffing had moved from roughly 114–115 to a low in the mid-80s and then back toward the mid-90s; Clerk Swinney Bell said the office had positions at varying levels historically and that returning to 94 FTEs would position the office to perform required work. Councilor Cormac requested four- to five-year historical data on service counts (for example, marriage licenses and other transactions) so the committee can assess trends. "We estimate over $2,500,000 in revenue next year in 2027," Swinney Bell said during her presentation, and staff said a digital copy of the full packet would be circulated for council review.

The presentation closed after brief queries about whether an additional staff member (Trautman) would speak and no audience testimony on the clerk budget was offered that evening. The committee did not take a vote on the clerk's request; the item was heard as part of the evening's three budget hearings.