Clerk of Courts Ernie Lee Magaha has written a letter to the Chief Judge Kim Skievaski, BOCC Chairman Marie Young, Public Defender James Owens, Sheriff David Morgan, State Attorney Bill Eddins and Pensacola Police Chief John Mathis to “clarify and confirm the actions taken by this Office in the last months.”
The Clerk has three primary functions:
1) Comptroller function which manages finances and budget for the county, and being the Clerk to the Board of County Commission
2)Court-related services – such as Civil, Criminal and Probate functions
3) Non-court related services – recording documents, marriages, passports
Magaha writes, “Our Non-court services budget has been significantly supported by our Official Records budget in the past years. Our revenues have supplemented the operations of both budgets and, as you know, such revenue has been reduced due to recent and current economic conditions.”
He also points out that the implementation of Article V, Revision 7 – which has the Court-related activities supported by court fines and fees that the Office generate – has cut off funding from the State for the court system. Civil filings and processed civil traffic infractions are also down.
Magaha is dealing with the revenue shortfalls by reducing staff and streamlining organizational functions.
“I am aware that our reductions may affect the services you receive from our Office. Please know that we will take every possible measure available to keep both the quality and level of service consistent with your expectations.”