New leadership coming to Clay County clerk’s office

After ousting Clay County Clerk Sheri Chapman in the Republican primary, political newcomer Megan Thompson now faces longtime county employee Sherry C. Duffett.

The clerk’s office is intimately connected to the County Commission because it is responsible for meeting minutes and recording commission transactions. Among other tasks, the clerk also manages the records center, issues licenses and collects license fees.

Both candidates expressed a need to bring more professionalism to the office.

Duffett, a Democrat who ran unopposed in her primary, said the clerk’s office has lacked professionalism and general ethics for several years.

Thompson said the county needs someone who puts “the community over petty personal politics.”

Thompson said her first priority would be to evaluate the clerk’s budget. She doesn’t anticipate making budget cuts but wants to streamline services.

“In order to support continued economic growth and increased population, the clerk’s office must be run efficiently,” she said. “Automation and the proper use of information technology will be crucial.”

As part of that process, Thompson plans to implement online business applications to help county government “get out of the way of business.”

Duffett said one of her chief goals is to boost communication among county offices.

“I would like to see a broader base of amicable communication across all levels of county government in cooperation with local, state and federal governments,” she said.

Duffett cited her experience working with various county offices as a helpful vehicle for meeting that goal. She has worked for the county since 2003.

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 8:31 PM with the headline "New leadership coming to Clay County clerk’s office."