Hillsborough clerk's office to reinstate office hours

TAMPA — The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's office will return to its normal operating hours starting Monday, county officials said.

The change comes after the Legislative Budget Commission restored a 7 percent statewide budget cut from the spring. The $25.9 million reversal translates to $2 million for the Hillsborough clerk's office.

The original cut forced the clerk's office to close earlier and open later for customers. The abbreviated operating schedule shortened the office's day by two hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Monday, the office will resume an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Hillsborough Clerk of Circuit Court Pat Frank said Friday that state officials reinstated the county's budget based on her office's ability to raise revenue through ticket collections, filings and other court-related matters.

"The money is not physically in our hands," Frank said. "We are authorized to reinstate budget needs, but are we going to get the money to do it?"