The Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for Columbia County, Fl, P. DeWitt Cason, has announced his retirement, effective August 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The Constitution of the State of Florida and Florida Statutes requires the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court be filled at all times. Florida Statutes provides a mechanism for the appointment of an interim clerk in the event that the Governor of the State of Florida has not made an appointment to that office prior to the retirement day.

In an effort to keep the Office of the Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court filled at all times, and in accordance with Article V, section 2, Florida Constitution, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, and section 28.09, Florida Statutes, it is ORDERED:

James Mervin Swisher, Jr., (Jay) is appointed as Clerk Ad Interim in the Office of the Clerk of Court of Columbia County, Florida, and shall assume all of the responsibilities, perform all of the duties, and receive the same compensation for the time being as if he had been duly appointed to fill the office. James Mervin Swisher, Jr. shall give such bond and security for the faithful performance of duties as required by the Board of County Commissioners of Columbia County, Florida.

This interim appointment shall be effective at 2:00 p.m., August 14, 2020, and shall continue until such time as the Governor of the State of Florida makes an appointment to the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Columbia County, Florida, as provided by general law, or until the office is filled through an election, of which James Mervin Swisher, Jr. has already been elected by virtue of running unopposed.

DONE AND ORDERED in Columbia County, Florida, on August 14, 2020.