Assistant clerk of court sworn in as ministerial recorder

Position confers authority to set bond, issue warrants

Simpsonville, S.C. — Assistant Clerk of Court Kimber Strong was sworn in Wednesday as ministerial recorder for the Simpsonville Municipal Court.

The Honorable Judge Ashley Clark swore in Strong in Council Chambers at City Hall at 10 a.m. in the presence of City Administrator Dianna Gracely. Simpsonville City Council voted 6-0 at its regularly scheduled business meeting on Tuesday to appoint Strong as ministerial recorder and confer upon her the authority to set bonds and issue warrants and subpoenas.

Assistant Clerk of Court Kimber Strong is sworn into the Simpsonville Municipal Court as ministerial recorder by the Honorable Judge Ashley Clark on Feb. 10, 2021. The position of ministerial recorder created by the General Assembly confers upon Strong the authority to set bonds and issue warrants and subpoenas | City of Simpsonville

Strong was hired by the City in March as assistant clerk of court to prepare case dockets, obtain information for the court, process fines and assist Clerk of Court and Administrative Judge Clark in court proceedings. 

"I am honored to be granted by Council the opportunity to serve as ministerial recorder in Simpsonville Municipal Court and be sworn in by Judge Clark," Strong said Wednesday. "I will strive to execute these duties to the best of my abilities for the City of Simpsonville."

State law permits city councils to appoint ministerial recorders to "set and accept bonds and recognizances and to issue summonses, subpoenas, arrest warrants and search warrants" without other judicial authority, according to Section 14-25-115.

Gracely introduced Strong at the business meeting, which was held online to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, per an emergency ordinance. Gracely said Strong has been an "excellent" employee and "quick learner" with extensive experience in the criminal justice system, including the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

Kimber Strong was hired as assistant clerk of court for Simpsonville Municipal Court in March 2020 before her appointment by City Council to ministerial recorder on Feb. 9, 2021. City Administrator Dianna Gracely said Strong has done an "amazing job" and is a "quick learner."

"(Strong) is in court every time that we've had court," Gracely said. "She's been an assistant to Judge Clark in the courtroom and has done an amazing job."

Gracely added that Strong would be of "service to the City as a whole" since her role as ministerial recorder would allow her to be on-call for bond hearings, arraignments and warrant signings.

"We are desperately needing additional on-call judges for the City," Gracely said.

Councilman Lou Hutchings of Ward 6 motioned to appoint Strong as ministerial recorder, while Councilman Ken Cummings of Ward 5 made the second to the motion. During discussion of the motion, Councilman Matthew Gooch of Ward 1 wanted to know how Strong felt about the title.

"We want to hear it from you, if you actually do want this job," Gooch said.

"Yes, I do," Strong responded with a smile. "Yes, I do."

Mayor Paul Shewmaker said he would "totally support" the appointment of Strong as ministerial recorder.

"In all of my interactions with Ms. Strong, I have been very impressed," Shewmaker said.