$30 million restored to the clerks' budget.

With little fanfare, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission on August 16 restored nearly $30 million to the clerks of the court budget.

"This will actually allow the clerks to return to normal business hours and allow us to serve our communities, our people, our businesses, and the courts in a way they have a right to expect," said Leon County Clerk Bob Inzer, who appeared at the budget commission meeting representing the clerks.

Working to restore the funding for the clerks, which was cut during the 2012 legislative session, has been a priority not only of the Florida Court Clerks & Comprollers but also the Supreme Court and Bar leaders as well.

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"The Florida Bar appreciates the Legislative Budget Commission's approval of the clerk's budget amendment," said Bar President Gwynne Young. "The Bar will continue to work with the courts and the clerks to ensure adequate and necessary funding of the court system both the judiciary and the clerks of court."

The additional funds were made possible due to an increase in collections by the clerks of the court that resulted in a positive fiscal impact in addition to legislation adopted last year authorizing the clerks to retain any remaining moneys from the cash balance in the trust fund from the prior year. According to the Office of Chief Fmancial Officer, the cash balance in the trust fund was $13.3 million on June 30.

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Therefore, the clerks of the court requested an additional $29.5 million in trust authority in the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund.

The clerks maintained that without approval of the budget amendment, there would be delays in the processing of civil cases, child support cases, final judgments of dissolution of marriages, orders and stipulations, foreclosure cases, landlord tenant eviction cases, and final judgments that would impact the business and legal community from obtaining financial payments and possession of real property.

Earlier in August, Gov. Rick Scott also recommended approval to increase budget authority by $29.5 million in...