Function of Office

The county clerk, an elected position, plays a unique roll in county government in that the Kansas Constitution and Statutes of Law place a great amount of legal responsibility in the position. The office is segmented into different areas as required by law.

Commissioners

The County Clerk serves as secretary to the Board of County Commissioners, either in person or by deputy; keeps the seal, records the papers of the board, signs the records of proceedings, and attests the same with the seal of the county and is the repository for all board records.

County Election Officer

As the county elections officer, the county clerk is responsible for all local elections and voter registration.

ELECTION DUTIES

• Voter registration site
• Maintain registration database
• Verify registration validity
• Generate registration list and reports
• Accept filings for public office
• Prepare newspaper publications for elections
• Assist with selection of election board workers
• Prepare ballots
• Make available advanced voting for voters
• Prepare results and provisional ballots for County Board of Canvassers
• Certify election results to the public and Secretary of State
• Prepare Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Election forms
• Record all election results in permanent record

Fiscal Services

The county clerk oversees payments to vendors and certifies that the cash is on hand and budget authority available to cover all claims. The clerk shall have a good working knowledge of all county department budgets and expenditures in order to present the claims to the county commissioners. 

The clerk must keep a clear audit trail for the accounting of all receipts and disbursements. Account payable's are processed weekly. The county clerk assists in budget preparation of 30 various taxing units in the county, and gathers information for the annual independent audit conducted by a CPA.

Tax Administration

The county clerk must finalize the assessed values on all real estate and personal property in the county. After the tax levies are set in October, special assessments are applied, the county clerk prepares the tax roll and tax statements. The appraiser and treasurer offices’ are informed of all new taxing districts established and are supplied, yearly, with new maps reflecting changes.

Public Information Officer

As the freedom of information officer, the county clerk must:

• Prepare and provide educational materials and information concerning the Open Records Act
• Be available to assist any public agency and members of the general public to resolve disputes relating to the Open Records Act
• Respond to inquires relating to the Open Records Act

Other Duties

• Administers Oaths of Office
• Issues various permits or licenses as prescribed by law.