Wayne County Clerk of Courts project to generate new revenue

The Wayne County Clerk of Courts Office has implemented a financial management initiative expected to generate more than $28,000 annually for the Wayne County General Fund through the strategic use of analyzed bank accounts for court-related deposits.

Over a six-month period, the Clerk’s Office transitioned the deposit of traffic and court fines and fees into analyzed accounts that earn interest while assessing banking service fees. After careful evaluation, the office determined that current interest rates significantly exceed the associated fees, resulting in a projected net financial gain for the county.

Because Clerk of Courts offices manage complex financial transactions that must be accurately tracked and distributed according to law, the transition required extensive coordination and technical integration. In addition to modifying banking procedures, the office developed new internal processes to ensure all transactions could continue to be properly reconciled within the Clerk’s case management system.

Bookkeepers Joan Howell and Tracy Gaugler led the financial implementation of the project, ensuring the accounts remained balanced, compliant and accurately reconciled. Assistant Chief Deputy Lucas Moffit provided technical support for the initiative by developing code that integrated the analyzed accounts with the office’s case management system, allowing electronic funds to be tracked and reconciled efficiently.

The additional revenue generated through the initiative will be deposited directly into the Wayne County General Fund, supporting county operations and public services without increasing fines, fees or taxes on residents.

“This initiative reflects the kind of thoughtful stewardship we strive for in public service,” said Wayne County Clerk of Courts Scott Wiggam. “Joan Howell, Tracy Gaugler and Lucas Moffit demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in making this transition successful. Because of their efforts, we can generate additional revenue for the county in a responsible way that ultimately benefits our entire community.”