About the Clerk

The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Clerk Angela Vick is directly elected by and accountable to Citrus County residents. In addition to the roles of Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk is the Chief Financial Officer and Auditor for Citrus County.

Mission, Vision, and Organizational Values

Our organizational values reflect what is truly important to us. They are the standards to which we hold ourselves accountable and the principal beliefs that inspire our behavior, define our culture, and propel us towards our vision of “Serving together…dedicated to excellence”, as well as our mission to “Safeguard and Serve”.

Effective communication is the foundation for any successful organization. We provide clear, concise, relevant and timely information to our internal and external customers. We promote active listening as well as an open and honest environment designed to cultivate new ideas and encourage feedback. 

To serve with excellence is to be committed to customer satisfaction by assisting internal and external customers respectfully, courteously, promptly and competently with the highest level of professionalism, honesty and integrity. We model behaviors that promote a peaceful and productive work environment. Sustaining service excellence requires innovation. We value creativity and the ability to adapt to change as we strive for improved efficiencies and effectiveness.

Through personal and professional growth, we will continue to develop and maintain the essential knowledge and skills to perform our duties to the best of our abilities. We accept responsibility for our mistakes and turn them into learning opportunities. 

Purpose

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is 1 of 5 Citrus County constitutional officers directly elected by county citizens and responsible for safeguarding all public records and public funds. The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court was established in the Florida Constitution as a public trustee, managing 4 primary functions and more than 1,000 individual responsibilities.

Duties & Functions of the Clerk and Comptroller

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is characterized as one whose duties are not purely ministerial, but rather an integral part of the entire county governmental process. As an officer of the court, the Clerk is endowed with certain authority to aid and promote the judicial process. Additionally, the Clerk's authority as an Elected County Officer, with responsibilities as auditor and custodian of all county funds, allows the Clerk to provide a check and balance function on behalf of local government and the citizens of Citrus County, Florida.

The origins of the Clerk of Court's office extend into early English history. In times past, the custody of court records was entrusted to one of the judges. However, it soon became apparent that the judge alone was unable to preside over the argument, record the proceedings and issue writs. Consequently, the Office of the Clerk of Courts was created. Subordinate judicial officials were chosen from among the clergy, the only literate group at the time. Thus , the name clerk is derived from the Latin "clericus," meaning clergyman. In the English colonies, officers of the common day pleas courts were known as county clerks, a title that continues to be used in most states today.

The functions and duties of Clerks vary from state to state. In most jurisdictions, the Clerk is generally vested with a large number of administrative duties. In Florida, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is a constitutional officer created by Article V, Section 16, of the Constitution of the State of Florida. In Citrus County, Florida, the Clerk is not only Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Court, but also the County Treasurer, Recorder, Auditor, Finance Officer and Ex-Officio Clerk of the County Commission.

Additional Tasks

In a study done by the Joint Select Committee on Judicial Personnel of the Florida Legislature, it was calculated that the Clerk's office performs 926 different tasks. Since then, these tasks have continued to grow with changes in legislation, regulations, and reporting requirements.

Clerk of the Circuit Court

As a member of the 5th Judicial Circuit, the Clerk is responsible for processing, recording, filing, and guaranteeing the integrity of all court-related documents in Citrus County.  Such documents consist of traffic tickets, divorces, foreclosures, lawsuits, case evidence, wills, domestic violence petitions, and tenant evictions. The Clerk is also responsible for managing the county's jury system. Citizens can represent themselves in court and purchase court packets with instructions through the Clerk's online Self Service Center.

County Recorder

The Clerk preserves and ensures the integrity of the Official Record Books of Citrus County dating back to 1887. Documents such as mortgages, deeds, liens, judgments and marriage licenses are recorded and entered into a computer system. Documents dating back to 1980 are available online through the Official Records Search. Official Records prior to 1980 are available on microfilm and are viewable at our Customer Service counter. The Official Records Department also issues marriage licenses and processes passport applications.

County Chief Financial Officer

In the public's interest, the Clerk provides a necessary check and balance on the county's budget, revenue and spending. The Clerk processes payments on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners and ensures that all taxpayer funds are being used lawfully. Any funds not designated for spending are invested by the Clerk. The interest earned on those investments helps ease the tax burden on citizens in future years. The Clerk's responsible management of public funds has also helped reduce operating costs and generate new forms of revenue through cash back programs.

County Auditor

In the role of County Auditor, the Clerk functions as the internal auditor for Citrus County, and has established the Internal Audit Department (IAD) to carry out that function. This department is independent of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and its Administration and conducts financial, compliance, operational, and performance audits.

Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners

The Clerk prepares and maintains the records of Board of County Commissioners' meetings and other government meetings. All the meeting minutes are made available to the public. The Clerk also administers the Value Adjustment Board process.

Other Services

The Clerk is also responsible for managing the county's jury system, processing passports, processing marriage licenses, and conducting foreclosures sales and tax deed sales.

The origins of the Clerk's Office extend into early English history. In times past, the custody of court records was entrusted to judges. However, it became apparent that a judge alone was unable to preside over the argument, record the proceedings, and issue writs. Consequently, the office of the Clerk of Court was created. Subordinate judicial officials were chosen from among the clergy, the only literate group at the time. Thus, "clerk" is derived from the Latin word "clericus" which means clergyman. In the English colonies, officers of the common pleas courts were known as county clerks, a title utilized in most states today.

The Florida Constitution, which has governed Florida citizens for over 150 years, established a Clerk of the Circuit Court as an elected public trustee in 1838 and established at the county level a system of checks and balances that has served the public well. The functions and duties of clerks vary from state to state. In most jurisdictions, the clerk is generally vested with a large number of administrative duties. The Clerk is not only Clerk of the Circuit Court, but also the County Treasurer, Recorder, Auditor, Finance Officer and Ex-Officio Clerk of the County Commission.

The office of the Clerk performs a wide range of record keeping, information management, and financial management in the judicial system and county government. Because the Clerks duties affect the rights and property of county citizens, it is essential that the Clerk remain accountable for his or her actions. For this reason, the constitution and statutes require that the Clerk

• Is governed by statutory authority in carrying out the duties and functions of the office.
• As auditor and custodian of county funds, is subject to state Auditor General rules and regulations.
• Is subject to annual audits by independent audit firms.

History of elected Clerk of Courts in Citrus County

W.C. Zimmerman (1887 - 1900)

We remember Floral City’s W.C. Zimmerman as a Civil War soldier and long-time Clerk of Court for Citrus County.  He gained lasting fame as the resolute county official who refused to recognize the vote that replaced Mannfield with Inverness as the county seat.  While the Mannfield courthouse was being dismantled for transport to Inverness, Zimmerman sat stiffly at his desk and would not yield to the Inverness supporters. The crowd loaded the Clerk, still sitting in his chair, onto the wagon and physically relocated him to the new courthouse.  When they arrived in Inverness, the Sheriff ordered him to declare Inverness the new County seat.  

Most Citrus County residents are probably unaware that a few short years later our W.C. Zimmerman was destined for greater fame as the county’s first national sensation.  In the days before Instagram and Twitter, W.C. Zimmerman’s discoveries off the coast of Ft. Myers would go “viral” in hundreds of newspapers across the United States.   Read more here --> W. C. Zimmerman – Citrus County’s Indiana Jones?

Members of the first county commission sit in the historic courthouse in after the county seat was moved from Mannfield to Inverness.

Walter F. Warnock (1901 - 1919) 

Warnock served as Citrus County Clerk of Court from 1901-1919.  Dr. Robert Warnock, Warnock's father, was the first physician in Inverness, according to records.  After completing his education, Walter F. Warnock began his career as a printer in Floral City and later an editor of the South Floridian newspaper in Inverness. By 1890, he had made Inverness his home. He was appointed as a deputy clerk in 1897. In November 1900 he was elected without opposition as the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Citrus County. He purchased the Citrus County Chronicle in 1904 and was editor of the paper at least ten years. He was well-known and highly regarded throughout the community and is credited as a driving force for the funding of the Masonic Temple, constructed in 1910. He was removed from his position as Clerk of the Court in 1919 by Florida Governor Sidney Johnson Catts. Less than a year later during the Flu Epidemic, Warnock passed away after a long bout of pneumonia at the young age of 45.  

 J.W. Knight (1919 - 1926)

Joseph W. Knight was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in September of 1919 as the Clerk of the Court of Citrus County and served until 1926. Knight was born in 1855 in Brooksville, Florida. In 1884, he and his wife Mary moved to Floral City. He was well-known and respected in Citrus County even before his appointment as Clerk. He was a justice of the peace for two years and served on the Citrus County School Board for four years, during which time he secured free books for the school children. In 1904, he was elected as a Representative for Citrus County in the State Legislature.

Claude Connor (1925 - 1935)

Claude Conner came to Citrus County in 1917 when he moved from Ocala to Inverness. He served as a deputy clerk under Joe Knight for a number of years before being elected to the position himself in 1924. He continued to serve as Clerk of Court until 1935 when he resigned and his son, James E. Connor, was appointed to the position. Claude Connor went on to become an Inverness City Councilman and City Clerk. Claude Connor was a prominent member of the Masonic Order, the Kiwanis Club, and other community groups. He passed away only a few years after his service as Clerk of Court in July of 1937.

James Connor (1935 - 1949)

Clerk J Connor, credited with organizing the state's first Democratic Club, got his political start in 1930 in Inverness as a member and chairman of the City Council and as city clerk. He got a big break in 1935. His father, Claude, resigned as clerk of circuit court and young Mr. Connor was appointed to the post.  Citrus County's most famous politician, Mr. Connor was president of the Florida Senate in the 1965 regular session and in two extra sessions of 1966.  First elected in 1952 to the Senate, Mr. Connor represented Citrus and Hernando counties _ Sumter County later was added to his district _ for 14 years as a member of the coterie of small-county lawmakers that dominated the Legislature. He wielded great power. One example of that power was Mr. Connor's orchestration of a flurry of bills that paved the way for Walt Disney to create "a city within a city" for the Disney World theme park near Orlando. Mr. Connor also got behind the creation of five vocational-technical schools, including one in Citrus County - the Withlacoochee Technical Institute. 

F.D. Stevens (1949 - died in office) / Wilma Stevens (1949 - 1953)

When F. D. Stevens died in July of 1949, shortly after taking office as Clerk of the Court, his wife, Wilma Vance Stevens, was appointed to succeed her husband by Florida Governor Fuller Warren. In 1950 an election was held to determine who would serve out the final two years of the late Stevens’ term. Wilma campaigned against Basil E. May Jr., grandson of former County Judge E. C. May and won, finishing out the term in 1953.

Francis "Cowboy" Williams (1953 - 1967)

In the 1950s, Francis "Cowboy" Williams was one of the more colorful leaders in local government. He was mayor of Inverness, a county commissioner and county clerk of courts. He was also convicted of grand larceny and forgery in 1967, and removed from office by the Governor.

Raymond Hoierman (1967 - 1969)

Ray Hoierman, a builder and former chairman of the board of Beverly Hills Development Corp., was appointed by Gov. Claude Kirk in the late 1960s as the clerk of the courts in Citrus County. In 1979, he formed Beverly Hills Development Corp. with partner Ron Collins and purchased the Citrus County retirement community. 

Walt Connors (1969 - 1988) 

In 1969 he was elected Citrus' clerk of the circuit court, a job he kept until 1988, when he chose to retire. Clerk Connors, an ardent Democrat, was a political godfather in his day, is credited with coining Citrus County's nickname: Florida's Little Giant.

Betty Strifler (1988 - 2013)

Angela Vick, CFCC (2013 - present)

To read more about Clerk Vick, please click here.

Meaning of Clerk's Seal Lady Justice typically wears a blindfold to symbolize her impartiality. Lady Justice holds a sword and shield which symbolizes her statutory duty to safeguard the finances and records entrusted to the Clerk. As this relates to the Clerk’s Office, it symbolizes her ability to safeguard the finances and records entrusted to the Clerk. The blindfold and scales, together with the sword, complete the symbolism of Lady Justice as both powerful and impartial.