District clerk says office cleared e‑filing backlog, seeks equipment and new jury management unit

District Clerk Anne told commissioners the office has made significant operational progress since she and her chief deputy arrived, clearing a backlog in civil e‑filing, addressing missing deposits and audits, promoting staff and reorganizing several positions.

"We are pretty much up to date with our filings," Anne said, adding that civil e‑filing waiting times had dropped from weeks to one or two days in many cases. She said audits from the auditor’s office and the Texas Office of the Attorney General prompted changes to ensure better compliance and recordkeeping.

Anne asked the court to provide funding for basic equipment—computers, scanners, monitors and chairs—and to recognize jury management as a formal department under the district clerk (department 3510). She said the county may need additional employees or overtime during the criminal Odyssey implementation and proposed starting with a part‑time or reallocated full‑time position for paneling and scanning needs.

Commissioners and staff discussed training, overtime and comp‑time practices. Anne emphasized she will continue outreach with judges and court staff to encourage transition to electronic filings; several judges remain on paper files for criminal dockets and will need training before the county can be fully paperless. The clerk noted proposed criminal e‑filing rules had a public comment deadline in August 2015 and that moving to electronic jury paneling could reduce juror wait times.

Budget staff said they will include the clerk’s supplemental position and equipment requests in the budget worksheets for the court to consider in August and September.