Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) association has presented Jason Welty, Jefferson County's Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, with its 2023-2024 Clerk of the Year Award. Suwannee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and 2023-2024 FCCC President Barry Baker announced the award during the association’s annual summer conference, which took place June 18-20 in Orlando.
The Clerk of the Year Award is presented to an FCCC member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to improving the ability of Clerks and Comptrollers to serve Floridians through professional education, legislative action and public awareness of the office.
“This year, Clerk Welty demonstrated exceptional resilience and grit after being appointed Jefferson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in November,” said Baker. “Despite taking on the position during a difficult time, he rose to the occasion and overcame each challenge that came his way. I am very proud to honor my friend and colleague Jason Welty with the 2023-2024 Clerk of the Year award for these accomplishments and representing our association with such excellence.”
In an interview with the Monticello News/Jefferson County Journal on Friday, June 21, Welty said, “This award is an incredible honor. Even though my name may be on it, it is one that I share with every single person in that office, every single one of my teammates. I also share it with the Jefferson County Commission, because they have done a lot to help my office out. I couldn't have done half of the things I have done without my team and without the commission and, frankly, without everyone in Jefferson County who has been so welcoming in making it absolutely possible.”
Welty went on to recap key improvements he has made in operations at the clerk's office since November. A main goal, he said, has been the transparency of the office. The biggest tool in becoming more open, he said, is the website, www.jeffersonclerk.com, which has been significantly updated. Vendors can now submit their W-9s electronically, which results in an automatic and more efficient process. Citizens can also download many basic legal forms from the website, such as simple Dissolution of Marriage and various probate documents.
“We've also changed our accounting system [to AccuFund],” Welty said. “It is driving some of the changes regarding finances.”
He explained that now when a payment needs to be processed, department heads put the bill into the system, then it goes to the county budget officer and then the county manager signs off on it; when it next comes to the clerk's office, Welty has three more people who look it over, ensuring that each check for payment matches the invoice and that the services are what was expected.
“The county is picking up the entire cost of the finance system,” Welty added. “We couldn't be doing half of the work we are now doing in this office without the help and assistance of the county.”
On a final note, Welty also thanked the Monticello News/Jefferson County Journal for being engaged in what the clerk's office is doing.
“I find some people don't know or realize all the things the clerk's office does,” he said. “Having the opportunity to speak with you all and constantly engage and keep that open line of communication is very important to me."
Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) is a statewide, nonprofit member association composed of Florida’s Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. FCCC provides local government support services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities for all members of the association.
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