Jody Phillips took office as the new Duval County Clerk of Courts on Jan. 4.
Elected in November to succeed term-limited Clerk Ronnie Fussell, Phillips was sworn in on the steps of the Duval County Courthouse after working inside the building in the clerk’s office for nearly eight years.
Phillips, 58, was in the highway construction business for 25 years before Fussell hired him in April 2013 a few months after taking office for his first term.
For the three years leading up to his election, Phillips was the clerk’s chief operating officer. He helped guide the staff of more than 300 people through the challenges created when the COVID-19 pandemic closed the courthouse to the public.
The clerk’s offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties perform duties including recording and maintaining documents and evidence related to the civil and criminal courts; collection and disbursement of fines, court costs, forfeitures, fees and service charges; and recording and indexing of deeds, mortgages and descriptions of all county property.
The clerks also record tax liens, claims against an estate, agreements, contracts, maps, plats of subdivisions and surveys. They manage jury service, among other functions.
The Duval County Clerk’s Office receives more than 2 million documents each year filed by attorneys, the court and the public.
When COVID safety restrictions shut the courthouse, the clerk’s office switched operations from in-person to electronic, including installing a drop-off box for people unable to file electronically.
The transition worked from the first day, Phillips said.
“We were at 90% capacity,” he said. “The response exceeded our expectations.”
He attributes the success to a comprehensive system created before the pandemic that allows customers to do business remotely.
Phillips said people still have to come to the clerk’s office to apply for a passport. That’s a federal transaction with the U.S. Department of State.
“Every other function can be done online,” Phillips said.
The drop box is still in place for the filing of documents. The clerk’s office added social distancing-compliant ways for people with questions to talk to staff.
“We’ve got Zoom on the front steps,” Phillips said.
After leading the operations in the office for eight years, Phillips said he has in place “an amazing team,” so no staff adjustments are planned.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be changes. Phillips plans to consult with his colleagues in the state’s other 66 counties to continue to find ways to improve services.
“Like any new administration, we’re looking for ways to be better and more efficient,” Phillips said.
Visit https://www2.duvalclerk.com/ to learn more about services available at the Duval County Clerk of Courts.