OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE
Section 59.40 of the Wisconsin Statutes and County
ordinances governs the Clerk of Circuit Court office.
The office is responsible for all costs associated
with the operation of the state court system in Racine
County except for the salaries of the circuit court
judges and their respective court reporters. The State
has authorized ten branches of the Circuit Courts for
Racine County, including the following divisions: probate,
civil, small claims, juvenile, criminal, traffic, family
and felony courts. The Clerk’s office performs
all administrative duties related to those courts and
the jury process system. The Clerk of Circuit Court
office generates revenue for the County and State through
the collection and recording of fees, fines, criminal
forfeitures and guardian ad litem reimbursements. In
addition, the office serves the public and the legal
community by maintaining the Racine County Law Library.
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
-
The office continues to pursue recovery of delinquent
fines, fees, costs, guardian ad litem fees, and court
appointed attorney fees, juvenile legal fees and
psychological assessment reimbursements through various
collection efforts. Certification with tax intercept
assisted in recovery of revenue.
- 50% of the guardian ad litem deposit required
by each party in a family/paternity is retained by
Racine County for processing services when a guardian
ad litem does not require assessments for services
rendered under minor circumstances.
- Elimination of a line staff position in the 2004
Budget required re-organization of duties in various
divisions for workflow, maintenance and enhanced
customer service with increased case filings.
- In 2003, 44,655 cases were filed in the Circuit
Courts. The judiciary disposed of 44,369 cases in
the year 2003, leaving 5,621 cases in active status;
requiring 90,804 court activity entries into the
Consolidated Court Automation Program (CCAP).
- A committee is pursuing contract court-appointed
attorneys to save the county money.
2005 GOALS
AND BUDGET STRATEGIES
-
All fines, fees and costs should be certified
to tax intercept that was implemented in mid-2003
through the CCAP. With this collection tool, it is
anticipated that the recovery rate of revenue will
be substantially higher than in the past.
- Download Racine County Creditor civil liens/judgments
for certification to tax intercept.
- Continue contracted meter parking services for
the jurors in Racine County.
- Implement Juror “Check In” bar
coding through the CCAP.
- Pursue “On Line” Juror Questionnaire
return through the CCAP.
- Implement some recommendations of a 2004 management
study, e.g., customer service training, re-organization
of staffing and staff levels, and audio communication
in the Traffic area for public assistance.
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