The Authority’s success with the Statewide Real Estate Deed Project resulted in our being assigned additional court-related responsibilities by the legislature. Before May 2004, there was no central accounting of millions of dollars in add-ons and surcharges on court fines and fees. There are up to 27 programs that are funded with these surcharges, with Indigent Defense being the latest such fund. The passage of HB1EX in May 2004 gave the Authority the responsibility for developing a tracking system, setting rules for remittances and reports, and distributing the surcharges to several beneficiary funds.

Within 60 days, the Authority had an automated tracking system on-line and staff in place to work with over 1100 Georgia courts. We began to improve the process of remitting and reporting. Because of the Authority’s efforts, Georgia’s citizens, public officials and beneficiary funds can now log onto www.courttrax.org and see the remittances and reports from over 1100 courts. In Fiscal 2006, over $463 million was distributed to the beneficiary funds and the new process provided transparency so that all may see it via our reports.

David Williams
Executive Director

We're proud to feature Paula Goss who took office as clerk of Superior Court of Echols County in 2005. Prior to being elected clerk, Paula spent eleven years as deputy clerk and several years on the Board of Tax Assessors. A native of Echols County, Paula enjoys spending time with her family, being active in her church, gardening, and going to football and basketball games. When asked why she enjoys being clerk, she responded: "I enjoy helping people. We are a small county and most people seem more like family. They really appreciate it when you help them. I have lived in Echols County all my life, so the people here are special to me."