Special to the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Stephanie Johnson is frequently asked questions whose answers rest outside the lines of her job description. That’s not a problem, however, because her desire to assist Effingham County residents is boundless.
“It’s somewhat my mantra,” the veteran county clerk said. “I believe in helping people, serving our citizens. That’s very important to me.”
Johnson is known for maintaining a professional demeanor at all times. That trait comes in handy when citizens voice dissatisfaction with county policies and procedures that they are unaware of or don’t like. She avoids being argumentative.
“Your temperament is important,” Johnson said. “A lot of times, people just want to be heard.”
Johnson helps citizens with a wide range of issues. She often fields calls intended for Jason Bragg, Effingham County’s clerk of courts.
“As the county clerk, we should be able to at least provide directions to help our citizenry find answers,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s ability in that regard is bolstered by her vast experiences. She began her county employment in August 1999 as a Building and Zoning technician. She was elevated to zoning manager when the department was split.
“I started to work more with the planning side (in 2005) -- zoning, site plans and the whole nine yards,” Johnson said.
An unexpected phone call altered her career course.
“They said, ‘Hey. We know all that you do on the zoning side and we think you would be good (as county clerk),’” Johnson recalled.
Johnson is nearing her 10th anniversary in her current post. She accepted the position on an interim basis on June 18, 2013. She got the job on a permanent basis just over three months later.
The clerk is appointed, one of three positions under the direct purview of the board of commissioners. (The county manager and county attorney are the others). She is officially responsible for the county seal, the retention and preservation of official records, including meeting agendas, minutes, resolutions and ordinances, and provides administrative support.
Additionally, the clerk researches, reviews and interpret policies, ordinances, resolutions and deeds, and is responsible for the recording of all easements, agreements, deeds as conveyed and approved by the commission.
Johnson, certified by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and Georgia Clerks Education Institute, said it can take up to a week to transcribe board meeting minutes. She is assisted in this task by Deputy Clerk Tasheena Shiggs.
“My time in the planning and zoning arena really prepared me for (the clerk job),” said Johnson, who is pursuing a Master Municipal endorsement. “I was the Planning Board secretary in the period between 2006 and 2008 before (the Great Recession) and at times we would have agendas so extensive that we would have to divide the meetings into two days.”
The clerk is also assigned as the legislative liaison and open records officer for the county, and ensures that all county ordinances are codified as required by state law. Effingham County’s code book contains approximately 400 pages.
Johnson uses MuniDocs software. It is a one-click solution for a convenient, comprehensive and dependable source of continuing disclosures.
“The zoning map amendments are posted there as well,” Johnson said. “I’ve researched a number of years to make them available online for easy viewing and retrieval.”
Johnson scanned thousands of documents dating as far back as 1976 into the system by hand prior to her departure from her previous position so that there would be a digital footprint.
“We also track (supplemental) boards and committees,” Johnson said. “There are approximately 20 or so. They all have different members and various dates of expiration (of their terms).”
In recent years, Johnson has been responsible for the review and issuance of filming permits. Effingham County’s popularity for movie production is growing.
“It was approved by the board for this process to be administered via the clerk’s office,” Johnson said. “The (film permitting process) gives commissioners a direct awareness of filming events taking place within the county.”
Johnson wants everyone impacted by county government to have easy access to important information. A great deal is available at www.effinghamcounty.org on the clerk’s page.
“On our website, under the code of ordinances, we have a link to a navigation menu,” Johnson said. “If you click this link on the home tab, you can browse all the codes and view all signed documents -- agreements, contracts, resolutions and proclamations that have been approved by the commissioners."
“Transparency and education of the public is very important to me," the clerk added. "I believe the more information and awareness we can provide to our citizens, the more comfortable they become with government.”