By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BATAVIA - An amendment attached to the proposed state budget awaiting Gov. Bob Taft's signature would have an immediate impact on at least one of Clermont County's elected offices.

Attached at the behest of county commissioners, the amendment would split the county clerk of courts position in two - creating a Municipal Court clerk and a Common Pleas Court clerk, with the municipal clerk spot up for grabs in the November election.

In a 2-1 vote this week, county commissioners approved the measure, which was recommended by Clerk David Caudill.

Caudill, who has held the position since 1995, has said he does not intend to run for re-election when his term ends in January 2005.

"I'm recommending this after eight years of experience as clerk - as what I think is best for this office and the people of the county," he said Friday. "It's been talked about for years. If it was going to be done - and I think it's a good thing to do - it needs to be done now."

The current clerk's position carries a salary of about $75,000. Caudill said the salary might be cut to help pay for the Municipal Court position.

County Commissioners Mary Walker and Bob Proud voted in favor.

Walker said Friday the proposal makes sense because the county is building a new Municipal Court 2 miles from its present location across the street from Common Pleas Court.

It makes sense to have two clerks' offices serving those courts, she said, adding that caseloads for Municipal Court have grown every year - now totaling about 44,000 annually.

"This is the opportune time to do this," Walker said. "It will provide better service - not only to the judges but to the public."

Commissioner Scott Croswell was the dissenting vote. He says the split will cost money the county can't afford.

Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, said there was no time to draft a legislative proposal to create the position, so the budget amendment was the only option.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com