Clerk and Register of Deeds 2020 Annual Report
Explore these two sections of Clerk operations: 

• Circuit Court Clerk (Court filings, PPOs, etc.)
• Clerk and Register of Deeds (Vital records, deeds, CPLs, etc.)

Major Staffing Changes
Clerk Kimberly Hinkley was appointed to the role of Calhoun County Clerk in February 2020 by the four Circuit Court Judges, to fulfill the remainder of long-time County Clerk Anne Norlander's term, after she announced her retirement in December 2019. Read the press release.

County Clerk Anne Norlander retired after over 30 years in County Government. She was the first woman and longest-serving clerk in Calhoun County history. Her last day was Jan. 31, 2020. Former Clerk Anne Norlander's insight and political experience was like none other. The changes she facilitated during her tenure are unmatched.


Circuit Court Clerk (Court filings, PPOs, etc.)
Numbers At a Glance

Motions Filed in 2020	Bonds Posted

In addition to the 1,916 motions filed in 2020, there were 287 criminal appeals. 

• There were 516 non-capital felony, 18 felony capital, and 0 felony juvenile appeals. 

In 2020, there were the following family division cases: 

• 382 delinquency proceedings
• 70 child protective proceedings
• 1 designated juvenile offenses
• 1 traffic and local ordinances
• 3 voluntary foster care
• 2 juvenile guardianship

202 general civil cases were filed. 

Total Restitution Collected in 2020

Of the $121K collected, $115,871 was for circuit, and $5,892 was for family division. 

Adoptions were assumed by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in 2020, with reorganization of court staff. Circuit Court Clerk staff is reviewing and accepting adoption filings, as well as assisting with post-adoption procedures. In 2020, there were 117 adoption cases. 

In 2020, 141 personal protection orders (PPO) were applied for, and 63 were granted. This number is down from 2019, when 676 PPOs were applied for, with 398 granted. The Clerk's Office believes it is reduced due to the Justice Center being closed due to COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Operations
Sonia Jones was new to the role of Chief Deputy of the Circuit Court when county buildings were closed due to COVID-19. Sonia accomplished all tasks and led the office during a challenging time, by developing an accountability schedule and changing some workflow in the office to continue to serve the courts. 

Half of the Circuit Court Clerk staff worked from home until Nov. 30, 2020, when individuals could make appointments for services. Two staff members were furloughed, with both returning by early January 2021. 

2020 Changes and Successes
In early March, Teri Jones retired from Chief Deputy of the Circuit Court, and Sonia Jones assumed this role. Peggy Clark was promoted to Sonia's position as fiscal operations specialist. Peggy has made numerous positive changes in the office, including setting up a check reader and streamlined processes dealing with financial records availability. She also updated the Circuit Court Clerk's cash handling procedures for the finance department, and has made a priority collecting restitution funds. 

The Calhoun County Clerk Office received funds from the 2019 FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Program's small grant distribution, which provided funding for two employees who assisted in document digitizations. They were able to assist in readying documents to be scanned from 1984-1988—many of these files are many inches thick. 


Clerk and Register of Deeds (Vital records, deeds, CPLs, etc.) 
Numbers At a Glance
The following number of vital records were filed with the Calhoun County Clerk's Office. 

• 1553 Birth Certificates
• 1781 Death Certificates
• 645 Marriage Licenses
• 435 DBA
• 167 Notary
• 5 DD214

2020 Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPL)

In 2020, there were 968 more Concealed Pistol Licenses applied for than in 2019. This is the largest number since records began.  In addition to the 1,253 new CPL applications, 1,746 were renewed. 

The 2020 Presidential Election was a major event for the Calhoun County Clerk's Office. For the November 2020 election, there were 106,478 registered voters. 

Total Residents Voted	Percentage Turnout

33,005 residents voted by absentee ballot in the 2020 Presidential Election.

COVID-19 Operations
In March, Calhoun County Building closed due to the global pandemic and staff was sent home. The public was encouraged to conduct business by email, fax, mail, e-recording, or drop box, which was installed outside the County Building. As work began again and County Administration provided the option for furlough, two Marshall staff members went on furlough. 

When staff began working in the building in May, customers were met outside on the sidewalk or in the parking lot. Customers who needed to come into the building for new CPLs and marriage licenses were met at the door before being brought into the building. In early July, Clerk's office staff met with individuals on an appointment basis, and on Nov. 30, normal operations resumed. Appointments were only required for the research room. 

2020 Staffing Changes
Toni Bailey who served 30 years in the Calhoun County Clerk's Office retired on Dec. 31, 2019. She served with exemplary service as the Chief Deputy of Circuit Court, as well as Chief Deputy Clerk and Register of Deeds. Her experience and knowledge are truly missed.