Florida's Sunshine Laws are among the strongest in the nation, giving every citizen access to the information necessary for participating in the democratic process. These laws protect a citizen's right to know how government operates, making information such as public events, government meeting minutes and court proceedings available. The Clerk's office fully supports transparency and accountability.

To meet the objectives of transparency and accountability, the Clerk offers:

• ClerkNet, a system that provides access to case information;
• Meetings On Demand and MinutesMaker, a system that allows access to the Board of County Commissioner meetings;
• www.SarasotaClerk.com, a website offering access to general and official records information;
• Public Access Department, which gives citizens access to documents through our public records request process;
• Annual Audits and Reporting, with fiscal, financial, budget and performance reporting available in print and electronically, via the website.

I am proud of our performance. I am very fortunate to have a great team of employees who believe in what they do, and in serving the people. I believe the more you know about us, the more you can appreciate the value you receive through our products, services and in our office. We encourage your review and inspection of our records. Please email the Clerk's office at clkinfo@scgov.net, or call (941) 861-7605 if you have questions, or would like additional information.

- Karen E. Rushing
Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller