Stephens Co. Eliminates Magistrate Court Clerk Positions; Clerk of Court’s Office Takes Over Work

Stephens County officials are announcing a change in operations regarding the county’s Magistrate Court.

According to County Administrator Phyllis Ayers, the county has chosen to assign the clerks’ work for the Magistrate Court to the Stephens County Clerk of Court’s Office, rather than have separate Magistrate Court clerks.

Ayers said that move affects two positions specifically.

“The cuts that have taken place is the reduction in two full-time personnel and the benefits associated with that that are clerks for the Magistrate Judge,” said Ayers.

The move took effect on Monday.

Ayers said that the Stephens County Clerk of Court Tim Quick is now working through the integration of the Magistrate Court into their office.

“He is currently in the process of determining the software integration needs, the clerical needs, and the physical needs of who will be located where and if he can do all of that work out of his office or if he would have to send someone into that office,” said Ayers.

Ayers called the decision budget-related as the county continues efforts to save money wherever possible.

“This is part of the same things we have been doing since 2009 to get this millage rate down as low as we can and it is another budget cut for us,” said Ayers. “We are still working very diligently through the government to put in place any cost savings.”

County commissioners just approved a Fiscal Year 2016 budget and this was not included, so a budget amendment will be required.

Ayers said the exact amount the county will save is still undetermined.

“The savings this year could be less than future years because the Clerk of Court is working through determining what he might need to spend this year to make the integration,” said Quick.

Ayers said that she made the move after discussing with the county commission and getting its approval and thoughts, though she said no formal vote was taken.

Also, Ayers said that she discussed the matter with other counties that have made the same decision, including Habersham County.

She said Magistrate Judge Don Tabor was not consulted prior to the move.