Roles and Duties of the Clerk & Comptroller in Sarasota County

In Sarasota County, the Clerk and Comptroller is an independently elected official with extensive responsibilities in financial and auditing matters, public service, and the judicial process.

Across the country, and even across counties within the same state, the roles and duties of Clerk and Comptroller vary widely. Sarasota County is fortunate to have Karen E. Rushing as our Clerk and Comptroller.

The public services provided by the Office of the Clerk and Comptroller touch the lives of Sarasota citizens from cradle to grave. We facilitate processes and manage cases pertaining to adoption, marriage, divorce, and estate settlement; civil disputes; traffic violations; driver’s license; passport; mental health; home and property, including eviction, foreclosure, tax deeds; guardianship; domestic matters; and so much more.
Specifically, your Clerk and Comptroller fulfills constitutional obligations in these roles:

  • Clerk of the Circuit & County Courts
  • County Comptroller, Treasurer & Finance Officer
  • County Recorder
  • County Auditor and Inspector General
  • Ex-Officio Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners

Collectively, the roles, duties, and services fulfilled by the Clerk and Comptroller are aimed at preserving the public’s confidence by promoting accountability, integrity, and transparency.

The information below is an overview of the duties of each role and the services provided to Sarasota citizens through the role. Read more about the roles of Court Clerks and Comptrollers in Florida.

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