Hernando County Clerk Of Court

            Hernando County is a county in the Mid West coast side of State of Florida. Hernando County Court has a Clerk of Court position elected by the registered residents of the county and appointed by the State Governor. Karen Nicolai is the current Hernando County Clerk of Court. She was the County Finance Director from 1976-1987. She is county clerk since 1988. She is a licensed CPA.

Karen Nicolai, Hernando County Clerk Of Court

            Location and Contact – Hernando County court House, 20 n Main St. Brooksville FL 34601, 352-540-6216

            Clerk of Hernando County performs the following court duties: Clerk of the court, Chief Financial Officer, Official County Recorder, Ex-Officio Clerk to the Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) and Clerk of the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) for Hernando County.

            Duty Description

            Clerk of the Court – proper running of the court, conducting civil and criminal cases, traffic cases, collecting fines/fees, court registry, child support cases, managing mortgage foreclosure cases including auction, guardianship reports, managing of court evidences, Child/Domestic abuse case management and resolution.

            Chief Financial Officer – managing of all county funds, banking and investment functions, financial statements, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, debt management, managing grant and enterprise funds, internal auditor of all county departments.    

            Official Record Keeper – maintains and keeps all records like deeds, mortgage and liens etc., collect taxes and documentary stamp fees, issues marriage license, accepts passport application and corresponding fees, provides passport photograph facility

            Ex-Officio Clerk of The BOCC – responsible for disbursing millions of dollars annually, preparing and managing BOCC meeting minutes and related meeting documentation.

            Clerk of VAB – Hernando county clerk is responsible for property tax collection, property value assessment, issuing annual property assessment and annual tax due letter, scheduling and managing property value assessment appeals, defining and providing exemptions like senior citizen exemption, past due tax collection and resolution, property auction.

            Awards for the Clerk of Hernando County

            Karen Nicolai recently has received the 2010 Clerk of the Year award from the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FACC).

            Hernando County Citizen's Annual report received award in 2009 from independent panel of reviewers with the National Government Finance. The clerk's office and BOCC produce the annual report, a condensed version of the financial and operational activity of the county.

            Karen Nicolai is involved in local charities, local organizations including Rotary Club of Brooksville.