SANFORD - A select Charter Review Commission decided Wednesday to identify any problems that might exist in the duties of the clerk of the court for Seminole County.

Review team member Jimmy Ross of Longwood contends that in matters of accounting and auditing of public funds together with being the custodian of the county's public funds, it is rather awkward that the Board of County Commissioners does not have the power of direct supervision through the county manager over such matters.

Why not transfer the Board of County Commissioners finance-related responsibilities of the Clerk of the Court to the county manager, Ross suggested.

"Why change a system that is working very well?" asked Fred Streetman, a former county commissioner and one of the 15-members of the charter team. "Since she's been in office the clerk has turned over $7.5 million - a sizable benefit - to the Board of Commissioners. This money has helped us from having to further tax to our residents."

Streetman said the only problem, he was aware of, is in "computer compatibility. That can be fixed."

Seminole County has one of 48 fee-based clerk's offices in Florida, and the office run by Maryanne Morse consistently ranks in the Top Tep (No. 7 last year).

"Other municipalities - Miami for one - handle it better," Ross said.

"Miami?" Streetman said. "Haven't they gone bankrupt down there?"

The crux of the matter, County Commissioner Daryl McClain, says is a vendetta by County Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide to embarrass or limit Morse's powers. Two years ago, Morse docked pay from Van Der Weide's pay checks after he did not produce receipts for a junket to Europe.

"He (Van Der Weide) wants retribution," McLain said.

County Chairman Carlton Henley, who attended portions of Wednesday's charter review session, said there were problems beyond the computer compatibility mentioned by Streetman. He encouraged the commission to extend its effort.

"I have the greatest respect for Maryanne Morse," Henley said. "This concerns the office she holds, not her specifically."

Committee member Bill Poe agreed there may be problems but that he was against the county manager assuming some of the clerk's financial duties and also opposed to the county adding an independent elected comptroller to its list of constitutional officers.

"That," Poe said, "would cost us $4 million a year."

No final decision was made, and the charter review committee will take up the matter at a later date.

Another significant item that was discussed; How often the charter review team needs to meet. It now meets every six years. Poe proposed to make it every 8th or 10th year. The others agreed although one member wanted to meet every fourth year.

The Charter Review Commission will conduct a public input hearing at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the County Services Building. This hearing also will be carried on SGTV (Channel 9 on cable).

SANFORD - A select Charter Review Commission decided Wednesday to identify any problems that might exist in the duties of the clerk of the court for Seminole County.

Review team member Jimmy Ross of Longwood contends that in matters of accounting and auditing of public funds together with being the custodian of the county's public funds, it is rather awkward that the Board of County Commissioners does not have the power of direct supervision through the county manager over such matters.

Why not transfer the Board of County Commissioners finance-related responsibilities of the Clerk of the Court to the county manager, Ross suggested.

"Why change a system that is working very well?" asked Fred Streetman, a former county commissioner and one of the 15-members of the charter team. "Since she's been in office the clerk has turned over $7.5 million - a sizable benefit - to the Board of Commissioners. This money has helped us from having to further tax to our residents."

Streetman said the only problem, he was aware of, is in "computer compatibility. That can be fixed."

Seminole County has one of 48 fee-based clerk's offices in Florida, and the office run by Maryanne Morse consistently ranks in the Top Tep (No. 7 last year).

"Other municipalities - Miami for one - handle it better," Ross said.

"Miami?" Streetman said. "Haven't they gone bankrupt down there?"

The crux of the matter, County Commissioner Daryl McClain, says is a vendetta by County Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide to embarrass or limit Morse's powers. Two years ago, Morse docked pay from Van Der Weide's pay checks after he did not produce receipts for a junket to Europe.

"He (Van Der Weide) wants retribution," McLain said.

County Chairman Carlton Henley, who attended portions of Wednesday's charter review session, said there were problems beyond the computer compatibility mentioned by Streetman. He encouraged the commission to extend its effort.

"I have the greatest respect for Maryanne Morse," Henley said. "This concerns the office she holds, not her specifically."

Committee member Bill Poe agreed there may be problems but that he was against the county manager assuming some of the clerk's financial duties and also opposed to the county adding an independent elected comptroller to its list of constitutional officers.

"That," Poe said, "would cost us $4 million a year."

No final decision was made, and the charter review committee will take up the matter at a later date.

Another significant item that was discussed; How often the charter review team needs to meet. It now meets every six years. Poe proposed to make it every 8th or 10th year. The others agreed although one member wanted to meet every fourth year.

The Charter Review Commission will conduct a public input hearing at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the County Services Building. This hearing also will be carried on SGTV (Channel 9 on cable).