Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 1999 and re-appointed by Governor Crist, Ken Burke also serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College in Florida. St. Petersburg College, the oldest community college in Florida, was the first in Florida to be granted the authority to award baccalaureate degrees. Ken was elected to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors in 2001. In 2005-06 he served as Chair of the Association.

Ken Burke served as president of Catholic Charities Housing Corporation for the diocese of St. Petersburg and on the Board of Governors of Catholic Charities. His community named Ken “Mr. Seminole” in 1999 in recognition of his civic contribution.

His long record of civic involvement includes serving as:
• President of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club,
• Government chairman for the All Children’s Hospital Development Council,
• President of the Kiwanis Club of Seminole and
• President of the St. Petersburg Jr. College Alumni Association.

Since assuming office, Ken has been elected by his fellow clerks to the statewide Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC), which is the board created by the Legislature to approve the Clerks’ court related budget. Chief Justice Pariente invited Ken to participate in the Florida Supreme Court’s ‘Access to Justice’ to improve access to the courts by pro se litigants; and to serve on a committee to review the Supreme Court’s judicial plan.

The Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts is a Constitutional Officer who derives authority and responsibility from constitutional and statutory provisions. The Clerk is elected to serve a four-year term by the voters of Pinellas County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all courthouse records, a local budget of approximately $43 million and about 540 employees.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

As Clerk of the Circuit and County Court

• maintains custody of court records
• maintains custody of all related pleadings filed
• secures evidence entered in court
• ensures integrity of court files is protected
• collects and disburses court fines and assessments and court ordered child support
• summons prospective jurors

As Recorder of Deeds

• maintains Official Records of Pinellas County and ensures their integrity is protected

As Clerk and Accountant of the Board of County Commissioners

• maintains Official Records of the Board
• maintains county financial records and prepares financial reports

As Custodian of all County funds

• receives and records county revenue
• invests county funds
• pre-audits and processes county payments

As County Auditor

• performs comptroller function in pre-audit of invoices before payment
• performs internal audits on county departments

As an Elected Official

• delivers quality service in most cost effective manner
• serves as a trustee in handling collection and disbursements of funding for numerous agencies
• serves as "watchdog" for citizens of Pinellas County to ensure funds expended are only for a public purpose and for the benefit of the public as a whole

• Pay a traffic ticket or File a pleading;
• Record a property deed or Settle an estate;
• Look up public information or Serve on a jury;
• Pick up a child support check or Obtain a marriage license.

• Be an elected official subject to public scrutiny.
• Be governed by statutory authority in carrying out the duties and functions of the office.
• Act as auditor and custodian of county funds, is subject to state Auditor General rules and regulations.
• Be subject to annual audits by independent audit firms.

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Speaker's Bureau

The Clerk's Office's Speakers Bureau was developed to arrange presentations that will further extend our community outreach efforts.

These presentations can be of interest to civic groups, private clubs, community organizations and schools. Allow us to help you plan an interesting, educational and informative program by including a Pinellas County Clerk of the Court speaker.

To request a speaker, contact Karin Case, Clerk's Citizens' Services Coordinator, at 727-464-3423, FAX: (727) 464-4162 or kcase@pinellascounty.org.

The Clerk's Office looks forward to assisting you with your presentation. We will make every attempt to schedule your requested speaker on the date of your choice. However, it may sometimes be necessary to change dates or topics during times of heavy bookings to meet all requests.

The Role of the Clerk - Learn about the present-day role of the Clerk and the departments within the Clerk’s Office. This presentation will offer an explanation of services provided by the Clerk’s various departments, as well as, identify customer service improvements incorporated to ensure the Clerk’s Office provides excellent customer service with commitment to work and compassion for others.

The Guardianship Process: What is the Clerk’s Function? - What is the statutory auditing role performed by the Clerk in protecting the ward’s assets? How does the Clerk’s Office function in the guardianship process? Find out in this informative look at the responsibilities of both the guardian and the Clerk.

Protecting Confidential Information in Public Records - Are your bank, credit card and social security numbers available for public viewing online in your recorded deeds and other records? Learn how to use the Clerk’s website to locate your records online and how to request your protected information be redacted, or blacked-out of these documents. Learn more about the role of the Clerk in this redaction process and the steps being taken to simplify the process for you.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How to Effectively Manage Your Staff” - This presentation on the leadership philosophy of the Clerk’s office, takes a look at the changes in the management style and philosophy made during the past year and a half and the employees’ reaction to the changes. Find out specific skills or methods used for successfully leading and managing staff.

The “People’s Court”: Small Claims Cases, Self-representation and more - This presentation will cover the basics of filing a small claims case, the tools and information available from the Clerk’s office and on the Clerk’s website, as well as, provide information on the various legal assistance programs available in Pinellas County.

Overview of the Clerk’s Online Services - You can accomplish a lot online at the Clerk’s website. Hear how to access to public records, court dockets, BCC meeting minutes, a small claims video, useful forms and information from every department in the Clerk’s office online!

Contact: Karin D. Case (727) 464-3423, FAX: (727) 453-3589

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