F R O M T H E C L E R K O F C O U R T & C O M P T R O L L E R T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
reflectingonmytimeas hillsboroughCountyClerk ofCircuitCourtandComptroller
itwasatruehonortoleadanincredibleteamofnearly700public servantsdedicatedtoservingourcommunitywithtransparency , equity , andindependence .
Reflecting on my four years as Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller , I feel immense pride in all we accomplished together . It was a true honor to lead an incredible team of nearly 700 public servants dedicated to serving our community with transparency , equity , and independence . We worked daily to make government services more accessible , efficient , and responsive to the needs of the people we serve .
Improving Public Access and Transparency
One of our core goals was to improve the customer experience . We worked hard to meet people where they were — whether that meant offering services 24 / 7 or finding new ways to engage the community . I ’ m incredibly proud of how we reached out to educate the public about the broad range of services we provide . We weren ’ t just a government office ; we became a trusted resource , ensuring people knew they could rely on us when they needed help .
Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors
A cause close to my heart is supporting survivors of domestic violence . We worked tirelessly to speed up the injunction process , including a significant legislative change that allowed Clerk ’ s Offices statewide to email documents to law enforcement , cutting down delays and helping survivors get protection faster . We also expanded partnerships with law enforcement to make it easier for survivors to file petitions for protection . We also launched Hope Cards , which automatically provide survivors with a quick reference tool to inform law enforcement of their status . I ’ m so grateful for the partnerships with organizations like The Spring of Tampa Bay and the Crisis Center , who have been instrumental in this work .
Recognizing Our Team ’ s Dedication
I couldn ’ t be prouder of our team . The recognition we received as a Top Workplace , including being named a Woman-Led Top Workplace , reflects the dedication and passion of those working in the Clerk ’ s Office . We built a culture of excellence ; these awards are a testament to that commitment .
Innovative Services for the Community
We also introduced several innovative programs to serve our community better . The Property Fraud Alert Program has over 70,000 subscribers and helps protect local homeowners from fraud . We expanded services like Passport Saturdays and Evenings to make it easier for busy families to access essential services . And we were proud to launch the first-ever Government Career Fair , helping people connect with rewarding public service opportunities .
Looking to the Future
As I hand the reins over to the newly elected Clerk , Victor Crist , our work will continue to grow and evolve . I am deeply grateful to my team , our partners , and the people of Hillsborough County for the opportunity to serve . We ’ ve made great strides , but the future is bright , and I look forward to seeing all the progress yet to come . n
Author : Cindy Stuart
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