FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
June
14, 2005 Carmella Sabaugh 586-469-7939
Macomb
County Clerk / Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh's office led the county in
good government awards received from the National Association of Counties
("NACo") and Macomb County led the state in awards received.
Macomb
County Clerk / Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh’s office received three NACo
awards. Her office submitted 13
programs for consideration. The clerk /
register of deeds received awards for partnering with the Suburban Mobility
Authority for Regional Transport ("SMART") to provide free bus
service to jurors, putting public circuit court case information on the
Internet, and using electronic bar codes to process juror paperwork more
efficiently.
Each
year the National Association of Counties issues awards for good county
government, including “achievement awards.”
The purpose of the awards is to nationally recognize county programs
that enhance services, improve county management or promote intergovernmental
coordination.
“Macomb
County is a leader nationally in many areas,” said Macomb County Clerk /
Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh.
“Several county departments have innovative programs. Last year just happened to be a great year in
the clerk’s office.”
The following clerk / register of deeds programs were submitted for NACo award consideration:
·
Evening
Office Hours. The office is open
Wednesdays until 7pm.
·
Providing
overnight delivery of birth certificates and other documents.
·
Placing
campaign finance reports on the Internet showing county and local campaign
contributions.
·
Making
library books available for jurors while on jury duty.
·
Providing
a mobile clerk's office throughout the county offering services to those who
cannot drive to Mount Clemens.
·
Providing
electronic lists of jurors to district courts to avoid duplicate data entry.
·
Implementing
an electronic bar-coded circuit court file tracking system.
·
Providing
fax and Internet access to circuit court files.
·
Computerizing
the concealed weapons licensing process making it easier for applicants to
check their status.
·
Presenting
free informational seminars throughout the county letting people know about
clerk’s office services and answering common questions.
The
county clerk’s office keeps court records and vital records such as birth and
death records, business registrations and military discharge records. The office also runs elections and keeps
records for various boards including the Macomb County Board of Commissioners,
Civil Service Commission, Concealed Weapons Licensing Board and others. The register of deeds office records real
estate documents such as deeds and mortgages. The office has county property
records dating back to 1837.
“My
staff and I are working to modernize the office and improve customer service,”
said Sabaugh. “Winning awards is nice, but the important thing is for the
public to know we have a lot to be proud of in Macomb County. In the clerk’s office, we’re serving the
public well. ”