Image Alt Text

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is an Elected
Constitutional Officer & Independent Custodian of the Court Record

About Us


 

Service Areas


Ken Burke, CPAKen Burke

Ken Burke has been serving as the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for nearly 20 years. He completed both his high school and college education locally, and his background as a CPA, law firm administrator, and college board chairman makes him well-matched for the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. His qualifications led to his election in November 2004, and he was sworn in on January 4, 2005. Since then, he has been re-elected without opposition in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Ken has been active in politics and community service from a young age, contributing to various civic and charitable organizations at both local and national levels. In 1983, he took on the role of Legal Administrator for a law firm and served as Vice President of the firm's title company. In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College, a position he was later reappointed to by Governors Charlie Crist and Rick Scott. He has also held the position of President of Catholic Charities Housing Corporation for the Diocese of St. Petersburg and served on the Board of Governors for Catholic Charities. In 1999, he was recognized as "Mr. Seminole" for his contributions to the community.

Ken's extensive civic engagement includes:

  • Elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in 2001, serving as Chair from 2005 to 2006
  • President of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club
  • Government Chairman for the All Children's Hospital Development Council
  • President of the Kiwanis Club of Seminole
  • President of the St. Petersburg Jr. College Alumni Association

As Clerk, Ken has participated in several committees and boards:

  • President of the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers
  • Member of the Florida Supreme Court's Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity
  • Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA)
  • Member and Chair of the Higher Education Coordinating Council for the State of Florida as appointed by Governor Rick Scott

Additional roles and appointments include:

  • Elected by fellow clerks to the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC), responsible for approving court-related budgets
  • Invited by Chief Justice Pariente to join the Florida Supreme Court's "Access to Justice" initiative and to review the Supreme Court's judicial plan

As Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Ken oversees all courthouse records, manages a local budget of approximately $69 million, and leads a team of about 525 employees.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Clerk of the Circuit Court

The office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is authorized under the Florida State Constitution, Article V, Section 16 with various duties enumerated in statute, rules of court and local procedure.

There shall be in each county a Clerk of the Circuit Court who shall be selected pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, Section I.

As Clerk of the Circuit and County Court

  • maintains custody of court records
  • maintains custody of all related pleadings filed
  • secures evidence entered in court
  • ensures integrity of court files is protected
  • collects and disburses court fines and assessments and court ordered child support
  • summons prospective jurors

As Recorder of Deeds

  • maintains Official Records of Pinellas County and ensures their integrity is protected

As Clerk and Accountant of the Board of County Commissioners

  • maintains Official Records of the Board
  • maintains county financial records and prepares financial reports

As Custodian of all County Funds

  • receives and records county revenue
  • invests county funds
  • pre-audits and processes county payments

As County Auditor

As an Elected Official

  • delivers quality service in most cost effective manner
  • serves as a trustee in handling collection and disbursements of funding for numerous agencies
  • serves as "watchdog" for citizens of Pinellas County to ensure funds expended are only for a public purpose and for the benefit of the public as a whole

Map of Pinellas County from 1904.History of the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court

On November 14, 1911, Pinellas County, Florida’s 48th county, was born as a result of legislation giving residents of "West Hillsborough” independence. On December 15, as provided for by the legislature, Governor Albert Gilchrist appointed C.W. Weicking as Pinellas County’s 1st Clerk of The Clerk of the Circuit Court. Sixteen people have served as Clerk since that time.

The Florida Constitution established a Clerk of the Circuit Court as an elected public trustee in 1838 and established at the county level a system of checks and balances that has served the public well. The Clerk’s Office has always been the “hub” around which each County’s government operates.

Many citizens have used or will use the offices of The Clerk of the Circuit Court at some point in their life to:

  • Pay a traffic ticket or File a pleading;
  • Record a property deed or Settle an estate;
  • Look up public information or Serve on a jury;
  • Pick up a child support check or Obtain a marriage license.

Duties assigned to the Office are: Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts; Clerk and Accountant of the Board for County Commissioners; Recorder of Deeds; Custodian of County Funds/County Treasurer; and County Auditor/ Comptroller.

Over the years, the Clerk has assumed nearly 1,000 individual statutory duties as delegated by the Florida Legislature. These duties affect the rights and property of all Pinellas County citizens. The Florida constitution and statutes require that the Clerk:

  • Be an elected official subject to public scrutiny.
  • Be governed by statutory authority in carrying out the duties and functions of the office.
  • Act as auditor and custodian of county funds, is subject to state Auditor General rules and regulations.
  • Be subject to annual audits by independent audit firms.

The current Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Ken Burke, was sworn in January 4, 2005.

Mission

To serve with integrity, transparency, and compassion.

Vision

To be a best-in-class Clerk’s Office with a diverse team of engaged employees who are innovative, focused, and committed to excellence.

Values - The Great Eight

1. We are dedicated to everything we do.
2. We are committed to excellent customer service.
3. We responsibly steward the information entrusted to us.
4. We embrace diversity and inclusion.
5. We collaborate to find a better way.
6. We show compassion for others.
7. We promote employee growth and development.
8. We do the right thing. Period.

Speaker's Bureau

The Clerk is responsible for over 1,000 different statutory duties for the citizen’s of Pinellas County and by way of the Speaker's Bureau, the public can choose from a variety of useful presentation topics for their meetings or events. These presentations can be of interest to civic groups, private clubs, community organizations and schools. Allow us to help you plan an interesting, educational and informative program by including a Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court speaker.

To request a speaker, contact Shawn Aligood at (727) 464-3423.

The Clerk's office looks forward to assisting you with your presentation. Please note we will make every attempt to schedule your requested speaker on the date of your choice. However, it may sometimes be necessary to change dates or topics during times of heavy bookings to meet all requests.

Presentation Topics:

The Role of the Clerk

- Learn about the present-day role of the Clerk and the departments within the Clerk’s office. This presentation will offer an explanation of services provided by the Clerk’s various departments, as well as, identify customer service improvements incorporated to ensure the Clerk’s office provides excellent customer service with commitment to work and compassion for others.

Financial Transparency in Government Spending

- This presentation focuses on the “Spending in the Sunshine” website which is centered on the public’s right to open government. Using this site, citizens can view detailed financial transactions within Pinellas County government and easily track every penny spent. Learn how much information can be easily accessed with just the click of a button.

Fraud Alert Service

- This presentation focuses on a FREE public service offered by the Pinellas County Clerk’s office that can help you detect fraudulent documents recorded with your name in the Clerk’s Official Records. Customers signing up for this service will be notified, by phone or email, of any document recorded with their name in the Official Records of the Pinellas County Clerk’s office. Recordable documents include deeds and mortgages among many others. According to the FBI, property and mortgage fraud is the fastest growing white-collar crime. Don’t delay, learn how you can stay informed of what’s being recorded in the Official Records today!

The Guardianship Process: What is the Clerk’s Function?

- What is the statutory auditing role performed by the Clerk in protecting the ward’s assets? How does the Clerk’s office function in the guardianship process? Find out in this informative look at the responsibilities of both the guardian and the Clerk.

Protecting Confidential Information in Public Records

- Are your bank, credit card and social security numbers available for public viewing online in your recorded deeds and other records? Learn how to use the Clerk’s website to locate your records online and how to request your protected information be redacted, or blacked-out of these documents. Learn more about the role of the Clerk in this redaction process and the steps being taken to simplify the process for you.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How to Effectively Manage Your Staff”

- This presentation on the leadership philosophy of the Clerk’s office, takes a look at the changes in the management style and philosophy made during the past year and a half and the employees’ reaction to the changes. Find out specific skills or methods used for successfully leading and managing staff.

The “People’s Court”: Small Claims Cases, Self-representation and more

- This presentation will cover the basics of filing a small claims case, the tools and information available from the Clerk’s office and on the Clerk’s website, as well as, provide information on the various legal assistance programs available in Pinellas County.

Overview of the Clerk’s Online Services

- You can accomplish a lot online at the Clerk’s website. Learn how to access to public records, court dockets, BCC meeting minutes, a small claims video, useful forms and information from every department in the Clerk’s office online!

Volunteer Banner  

Volunteering at the Clerk's Office

There are a variety of volunteer responsibilities allowing for a wide range of interesting work.

  • Insight as to how the court system works
  • Flexible hours
  • Internships available
  • Community service
  • On-the-job work experience
   
                                                                      Apply Now!

Volunteer application is hosted and processed by
Pinellas County Volunteer Services.

 

Current Pinellas County Job Openings

For Clerk-specific jobs, choose a New Search and then select all options that begin CCC: under Division.