Accomplishments, CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS

Administrative & Operational Improvements

• Courthouse Hours Adjustment
  Reached a collaborative agreement with the DCA, Chief Judge, circuit court, and staff to modify courthouse hours.
  ▸ Ensured public access to court documents and maintained drop-box filing.
  ▸ Reduced in-office staffing to one employee on Friday afternoons, balancing access and efficiency.
  
  

• Flexible Scheduling Implementation
  Introduced flex scheduling for deputy clerks to enhance work-life balance.
  ▸ Reduced reliance on PTO by permitting up to 2.5 hours/week of make-up time.
  ▸ Resulted in increased staff satisfaction and morale.
  
  

• Departmental Budget Reduction
  Reduced the Clerk of Court’s 2024 departmental budget by $6,235.
  ▸ 2023 Budget: $1,487,625
  ▸ 2024 Budget: $1,607,276 (of the allowed $125,886 PCR increase, only $119,651 utilized)
  
  

Court Process Enhancements

• Temporary Hearing Visibility on CCAP
  Added Temporary Hearings with the Court Commissioner to the CCAP calendar to improve transparency and reduce missed court appearances.
  
  

• A/V Upgrades for Remote Access
  Secured approval for audiovisual upgrades in the Court Commissioner Hearing Room, enabling remote hearing capabilities.
  
  

• Currency-Counting Machine Acquisition
  Purchased an automated currency-counting machine to improve efficiency in day-end balancing and processing of large payments.
  
  

Collaboration & Public Service

• Restraining Order (TRO) Process Streamlining
  Partnered with the District Attorney’s Office and CVW to simplify the TRO process.
  ▸ Created a public-facing TRO guide and packet system to reduce CVW traffic while maintaining clear public access to information.
  
  

• Restitution & Financial Takeback Improvements
  Coordinated with CVW and DOC/Probation & Parole to improve restitution workflows using DOC-31 and CR-247 forms.
  
  

• Increased Attorney Compensation
  Improved fairness in legal compensation for court-appointed attorneys.
  ▸ Guardian ad Litem: $100/hour
  ▸ Uncontested Guardianships: $100/hour (replacing per-case rate)
  
  

• Leadership Development & Advancement
  ▸ Enrolled in Chippewa County’s 2025 Leadership Program through CVTC.
  ▸ Introduced “Lead Worker” roles for two staff members in direct response to advancement concerns expressed in the 2024 Stay Survey.
  
  

Community Engagement

• Substance Abuse Awareness
  Volunteered at the “Stand Against Meth” town halls held in Cornell, Bloomer, and Stanley.
  ▸ Represented the Clerk of Court office at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair to increase visibility and community engagement.