Clerk of courts warns office is short-staffed and may have to relinquish probate duties

Marge, Sawyer County clerk of courts, told the Public Safety Committee that her office is short-staffed after the civil small-claims clerk went out on a 12-week FMLA maternity leave and that remaining criminal clerks have been stretched thin.

"We're getting burned out," Marge said, noting the office is covering civil and probate work with limited staff and that one new criminal clerk will not start until July 27. She asked the committee to consider bringing in an interim hire to cross-train on civil small-claims duties so the office can continue to keep windows open and meet courtroom needs.

Marge said she has already asked the absent clerk whether she intends to return and added, "To be honest with you, I don't believe that my civil small claims clerk is coming back." She said one option would be to bring in a candidate she interviewed to train on the civil docket so that, if the current clerk does not return, that person could assume the role without a full hiring delay.

Marge warned that if staffing does not improve she may have to withdraw as register in probate, which would require the county to appoint a new register and cover the associated costs and administrative transition.

Committee members asked county administration about options; the clerk (county administration) said the county has been attempting to fill vacancies and noted typical notice periods and hiring timelines. The committee agreed to discuss interim assistance with county staff after the meeting.

The committee did not take formal action at this meeting; members asked staff to continue recruitment and to return with updates at a future meeting.