Criminal court clerk asks commissioners for $132,370 in tech upgrades; commissioners refer funding question

Heidi, the Shelby County criminal court clerk, asked the commission to allocate $132,370 from the general fund to implement three technology upgrades: enhanced research access to the case management system, a public‑facing court analytics dashboard, and redaction software to speed processing and protect personal data. She said the office has limited DP (fee) funds and that those funds are largely encumbered for security cameras, a clerk mobile app and tracking software.

"I am before you again today requesting that you allocate $132,370 to the criminal court clerk's office for 3 technological advancements," the clerk told the commission, adding the upgrades would improve efficiency and compliance with past comptroller recommendations. Private‑bar advocates, including Josie Holland of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, urged the commission to fund the research pillar to ensure lawyers outside the public defender's office have equal access to filings. Deputy CFO Michael Thompson said any general‑fund appropriation would lower the county's fund‑balance percentage and suggested exploring repurposing unessential grant allocations or available DP fund balances as alternatives. Commissioners voted to send the request back to committee on Sept. 17 to identify an appropriate funding source.