VOTE411 Voter Guide

First, customer service must remain at the center of every decision. Every individual—regardless of background or resources—should be able to navigate the system with confidence, access information easily, and complete necessary filings without unnecessary barriers. Second, modernizing systems while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars is a critical challenge. Improvements must be implemented thoughtfully and with fiscal responsibility. Lastly, employee retention and morale are ongoing concerns that directly affect the quality of service provided to the public. Supporting employees through professional development, recognition, and a positive workplace culture is essential to maintaining a strong, stable, and effective office.

Updating technology and processes is necessary to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. At the same time, these improvements must be implemented thoughtfully, with a focus on fiscal responsibility. I will prioritize clear communication, accessible records, and user-friendly systems to strengthen accountability and build public trust.

Accurate, secure, and accessible recordkeeping is fundamental to the integrity of our court system. To improve the management of criminal, civil, and juvenile case records, I will take a collaborative, technology-driven, and user-focused approach. First, I will work in coordination with the State of Nebraska, NACO, and other key partners to identify and implement best practices. Second, I will prioritize the thoughtful use of technology to improve efficiency and ease of use. I will work to ensure that records are organized, accessible, and easy for the public, attorneys, and partner agencies to navigate, while still protecting sensitive information, especially in juvenile cases.

Assisting the members of the public that ask many questions that we cannot answer. We can’t provide legal advice. You’ve got to be very careful of what you tell them. All we can do is give them information as to where they can find online legal advice. Another challenge is dealing with emotions. Sometimes, the first thing is to calm the customer down & listen to what they need. While keeping a smile on your face and refraining from yelling back at the customer.

The Clerk’s office records the child support judgments based on court Orders. It would be nice if the proposed Orders that are submitted were more uniform. This would increase the accuracy of the judgments entered on JUSTICE (State of Ne program for court records) as well as save time. The Clerk’s Office does not maintain the collection or disbursement of child support. It’s maintained by DHHS (Dept of Health & Human Services). We process garnishments submitted to our office against bonds, employers, and bank accounts. If we can get the State Legislature to change the procedure for acquiring bonds for delinquent child support, it would shorten the time & save the county money.

JUSTICE already requires us to enter very detailed information on all individuals as well as the outcome of the case. We must continue to find ways that allows JUSTICE to update; records maintained by the Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln Police Department, & Ne State Patrol on a real time bases. I’m currently working with the State of Nebraska Court Administrators Office to develop a new system, JUSTICE 2.0. Using the new technology that is available we hope to improve the interfaces and make the system more accessible to the general public.