Court clerks get to keep their duties but will relinquish oversight of their budgets under a bill passed by Florida lawmakers.

Under the new measure, all monies coming into clerks’ offices will be deposited into the state’s general-revenue fund and the state courts revenue trust fund. It will then be meted out to each clerk’s office based upon a formula set up by the Clerks of Court Operating Corporation (CCOC). The formula takes into account county size and how much revenue the clerk’s office brings in.

The initial bill called for clerks to turn over their duties to court

administrators. Under this plan clerk’s revenues would have been placed under control of the court system, out of reach of clerks.

Suwannee County Clerk of Court Barry Baker said the plan will mean less

money for his office.

“Our office is trying to do what we can to make things work, just as

everyone else in the community,” said Baker. “We have a lot on our hands. For the next few months my staff and I will be working diligently to implement new mandates that will completely restructure how we will operate. We appreciate the support of this community and the staff and I remain committed in our service to you the people of Suwannee County.”

Baker said filing fees will be increased and salaries of clerk’s office

employees will be set by the state instead of clerks. Baker said the impact from the measure will be an immediate 12.5 percent reduction in revenue with an additional five percent in July.

Prior to this clerks funded their own budgets through duties such as filing fees, court fines and foreclosures. The CCOC consists

of an eight-member board of clerks who will approve fellow clerk’s budgets.

Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit E. Vernon Douglas feels all

government agencies should have the same oversight and enforces with the plan.

“Now their budget is coming in to light to be scrutinized just like the

courts,” said Douglas. “I think everyone should be treated fairly and

equally.”

The measure will take effect July 1.