LYDIA GARDNER ORANGE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS CHARTER

LYDIA GARDNER ORANGE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 9, 2011

WE GET OUR AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE • Constitutional Officer, Article V, Section 16 • Florida State Constitution • Florida Statutes • Florida State Supreme Court • Chief Judge of the Circuit

WE ARE FUNDED THROUGH FEES & FINES • In 2004, the Legislature enacted Article V, Revision 7, the Constitutional change voters approved in 1998, which had the effect of removing us from the County budget and changing us to a fee-based model. We operate on fees and fines collected. – In 2004, the County-funded Clerk’s budget was $30 million. – Today, the Clerk receives no operational funding from the County, not even for jury services. • Our budget is state-approved • Orange County provides facilities and communications systems as required by state law.

WE ARE THE GATEWAY TO COURTS • Initiate court cases • Provide technology backbone of the judicial system • Maintain over 2. 5 million court files • Maintain evidence for trials • Duties as crucial to our justice system as these should only be in the hands of someone who is directly accountable to the citizens.

WE ARE THE INFORMATION HUB • Interact with all who have business with courts: attorneys, parties to cases, agencies, legislature, media, and others • We are the data resource for the court system, uploading information to dozens of agencies, including: – Department of Revenue – Office of State Court Administration – Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS) • www. myorangeclerk. com offers updated case information and online transaction options for customers.

WE ARE THE FISCAL OFFICER OF THE COURTS • Manage a $30. 2 million annual court budget, approved by the state legislature and reviewed by the Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation • Collect more than $220 million annually through a model court collections program • Disburse that revenue to 212 agencies, including law enforcement, municipalities and others – Speeding-ticket fine alone divided among 21 agencies • Disbursed $8. 5 million in restitution payments to hundreds of crime victims

WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO CITIZENS • 487 deputy clerks take the same oath of office as the Clerk • Operate in the sunshine with transparency • Collect thousands of customer surveys annually – – – Consistently above 97% satisfaction rate Developed partnership with Amscot as a result of feedback Learned of need for payment center in District 3, East Orange County, where most business is conducted in Spanish.

WE ARE RECOGNIZED FOR OUR WORK • Governor’s Sterling Award Winner • Collections Program is state’s best practice: Governor’s Sterling Council • Chapter devoted to Orange County Clerk of Courts’ stellar customer service in “Customer Service, Skills for Success, ” a text book published by Mc. Graw-Hill • Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner: – Appointed to Clerk of Courts Operations Corp. by Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon – Appointed Chairman of the state’s Electronic Case Filing e-Portal Authority

WE BUILD ON A FOUR-PILLAR STRATEGY Advocate for Our Customers and Partners Instill Confidence and Trust in All Those We Serve Deliver Quality That is Evident in All That We Do Manage Our Resources Effectively We respond to our customers’ needs with a sense of urgency. We listen to the customers, anticipate their needs and collaborate with others to meet those needs. We treat all of our customers and partners with respect. Our customers and stakeholders can trust that we will deliver it right the first time. We communicate openly and honestly about our successes and our challenges. We deliver quality work by focusing on accuracy and timeliness. We integrate quality into our processes and performance management systems. We anticipate changing demands and requirements with agile financial management. We have the right people in the right place with the right skills. We improve efficiency by streamlining processes. We operate with a culture of compassion, a sense of urgency and a dedication to professionalism.

The Orange County Clerk of Courts is a crucial part of the justice system. As an elected officer, the Clerk is independent and directly accountable to the citizens. The role of the elected clerks allows for a check and balance system with the judiciary.