Candidate: Roger Eaton

Four years ago, I was excited to run my first election campaign.  I ran on the strength of my nearly 20 years experience in the Clerk’s Office, my conservative financial principles, and my ability to integrate cutting edge technology into the Clerk’s Office to provide better, more efficient services to the public at less cost to our taxpayers.  I was overwhelmed with appreciation upon receiving 75% of all votes cast for Clerk of Court.  I am now just as excited to embark on my first re-election campaign.

In my closing remarks on this website in 2016, I specifically promised the 25% who voted for other candidates that I would work tirelessly in my first four years as Clerk of Court to earn their vote in 2020.  In this regard, since taking office in January 2017, the Clerk’s Office has accomplished everything below, for the benefit of Charlotte County and its citizens:

• Saved taxpayers nearly $20 Million Dollars by avoiding the need to expand the Charlotte County Justice Center: The Clerk’s Office was singled out as the primary reason the planned $36 million Justice Center expansion construction project was reduced to a $16.8 million rearrangement of existing space project.  We did this by consolidating and giving up nearly 17,000 square feet of office space to other agencies within the Justice Center.  As outlined in the Charlotte Sun’s editorial on May 3, 2017, which focused on local governmental agencies working together to save local taxpayers nearly $20 million on a Justice Center expansion project, the Clerk’s Office “gave up the most, especially in terms of office space, to make these massive taxpayer savings a reality”.
   
• Reduced Clerk’s Office annual budget every year since 2017: By integrating cutting edge technology and software, thereby streamlining our inner-office processes, the Clerk’s Office has reduced its annual budget every year since 2017.  For historical perspective, the Clerk’s Office only once between 2008 through 2016 reduced its annual budget.  In addition, we have been able to return nearly 1.1 Million dollars to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners since 2017.
   
• Increased investment earnings:  Many citizens do not realize that the Comptroller side of the Clerk’s Office directs investment of millions of dollars of Charlotte County funds.  Our financial team continually analyzes the current structure of investments, with an eye toward providing security, safety, and liquidity of the County’s investments.  Since taking office in 2017, over 23.3 million has been earned on investments controlled by the Clerk’s Office, as compared to only $10.8 million the preceding three years, an increase of 116%.
   
• MyJuryServices Kiosk and smart-phone application: The Clerk’s Office instituted a cutting-edge online jury management system which allowed those called for jury duty to check-in and review their status online, and receive cash payment for their service before leaving the Justice Center.  Citizens continually praise the convenience and simplicity of the new juror management system.  The system also saves the taxpayers money by cutting down on staff organizational time, particularly with eliminating the need to process tens of  thousands of juror payment checks each year and associated postage costs.
   
• FREE Property Fraud Alert Program: The Clerk’s Office established a FREE Property Fraud Alert Program which informs Charlotte County property owners via e-mail of any official record transaction filed against their name or property.
   
• PayNearMe Cash Payment Program: The Clerk’s Office partnered with nCourt and PayNearMe, financial services technology companies which enable citizens to pay their fines and fees with cash using a convenient barcode scan at participating merchants such as CVS, 7 Eleven and Dollar General.  The new program is convenient, guaranteed, and confidential.  This helps working people, as they can now pay after regular working hours.  We were the first Clerk’s Office in the State of Florida to offer this payment option.
   
• Enhanced, efficient, and improved marriage services: The Clerk’s Office introduced a unique marriage scheduling app for both the iPhone and Android devices.  With our new online marriage scheduling system, couples can complete an online marriage application and schedule a block of time for their wedding ceremony to be held in our newly designed marriage room in the Charlotte County Justice Center.  This state of the art system allows for follow up text messaging and appointment notifications.  Since instituting this system, over 200 couples have happily married in our office.
   
• Modernized online records policy (E Certify):  Our new electronic records policy, which was cited by the Florida Bureau of Archives and Records Management as both “impressive” and “a model for other counties to consider”, required the enhanced use of scanning, digitizing, and computer-cataloguing hard-copy paper records. This successful use of technology allowed the Clerk’s Office to considerably shrink its office-space footprint, thereby eliminating the need for a full-blown Justice Center expansion project.  This modernization project is never-ending.  We are now also able to provide certified electronic Official Records online.  Each electronic certified document uses advanced encryption features to produce a tamper-proof electronic certified document which will include a unique Clerk of Court digital signature. No longer will those in need of certified Official Records need to physically come to the Justice Center or our Murdock office. We are also working on digitizing all records in Official Records, such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgages, marriage licenses, and notices of commencement. 

All of these accomplishments, as well as my election in 2016, were the result of a team of people working together for a common purpose.  If I have earned the trust of Charlotte County citizens to serve another term in 2020, I will continue to lead the Clerk’s Office in the same manner – always working hard to bring about positive results through teamwork.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY RESIDENCY

I have lived in Charlotte County, and worked in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office, for more than 20 years. My wife of 20 years, Angie, and I reside in Port Charlotte with our children, Lila and Bryce.
 

EDUCATION

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, both from Eastern Michigan University.

COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SERVICE – Past and Present

United Way of Charlotte County, Executive Committee and Board of Directors
Leadership Charlotte Class of 2015
Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, Advocate and Contributor
Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE of Charlotte County), Advocate
Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County, Advocate and Contributor
Port Charlotte Bandits, Board Member and Coach
Port Charlotte Little League Baseball, Coach
YMCA and Port Charlotte Soccer Federation, Coach
Make it Count Flag Football of Charlotte County, Coach
Team Punta Gorda, Member
Twentieth Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, Public Board Member
Florida Government Finance Officers Association, Member
Project Management Institute, Member
American Society of Criminology, Member

CLERK OF COURT CERTIFICATION AND COMMITTEES

I have completed the 240 hour professional development certification program for Court Clerks, which was developed by the Florida Supreme Court in conjunction with the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers. Every year, I have completed at least 36 hours of Clerk of Court training courses along with an additional 8 hours of investment training.

I have also chaired the Legislative Proposal Workgroup (2017-2018) and currently serving on the Strategic Technology Committee, Performance Improvement & Efficiencies Committee and the Legislative Committee.