As in other Alabama Counties, Greene Counties Circuit Clerk’s office will be cutting their hours. Circuit Clerk Johnnie Knott said along with their lunch hour, the office will also close to the public in the afternoon.

“In our new office hours we will close from noon until 1 p.m.,” Knott said. “E wil also close at 3:30 p.m. beginning June 1.”

Alabama Chief Justice Drayton Nabors Jr. authorized all Circuit Clerks to close their offices for ten hours a week due to cutbacks and layoffs of state employees in March.

Due to the budget reductions resulting from severe strain in the state general fund staffing for Circuit Clerk’s offices has been reduced by about 25 percent. In order to continue providing quality service to litigants, attorneys and the public it is imperative that each office operates in the most efficient manner possible.

In a release from Nabors office he said he had spoken to officials and they all agreed this was a necessary cutback.

“After consulting with trial court officials, I have determined that at the discretion of the clerk productivity and efficient can be greatly enhanced by allowing staffs some period of time daily to concentrate on duties without distraction,” Nabors said. “If the basic record keeping functions of our offices is not current, justice is not served and will be hindered by the inability to make accurate entries and locate documents, exhibits and evidence.”

Nabors said he would authorize Circuit and District Clerks to close their offices to telephone calls and other direct services to the public for up to 10 hours a week. Nabors added it would be up to the specific offices to decide how to do this.

“The Clerk’s shall decide whether and how to exercise their authority depending on all circumstances, but most especially increasing overall quality and productivity,” Nabors said. “Employees will continue to adhere to a minimum 40 hour week.”