Retiring Flathead County Clerk of Court piloted office into the digital age

For Flathead County Clerk of Court Peg Allison, life is about constantly pushing boundaries and asking questions that have not been asked before.  

She brought these ideals with her when she was first elected to the position in 1993. Since taking office, the Montana native from Glendive propelled the District Clerk of Court’s office into the digital age. 

Whether it was pioneering the state’s only child support program or digitizing marriage applications, Allison was always scoping ways technology could make her office work more effectively and efficiently.   

After over three decades in the position, Allison has decided to retire, passing the torch to newly elected District Clerk of Court Sara Smith. But she is leaving the office in the best shape it's ever been, she says, having grown it from six staff to 15. 

The Flathead County Clerk of Court office is responsible for logging and maintaining a variety of records, including court documents, marriage licenses, and passport applications as well as managing jury selections and staffing courtrooms.  

“The lion’s share of what we do is data entry and customer service,” she said. 

Allison has always been captivated with the judiciary, first joining the office in 1985 working for her predecessor John Van, the former District Clerk of Court. 

While there were six staff in the office, there were only five desks. Having to share one with her coworker, Allison would spend one of half of the day making phone calls and processing data. The second half she would be spent standing, sifting through shelves and shelves of records.   

“There was no such thing as computer systems in the office in the 1980s so everything was handwritten into books,” she said. When dealing with 16 categories of records, which include civil, criminal, family or juvenile, mulling over the plethora of documents can be tedious.  

But when Allison found out Van was stepping down after more than two decades, she ran against her supervisor for the seat and won.  

After taking office in 1993, Allison immediately installed personal computers at every desk and stocked the courtrooms with monitors shortly after. Using shorthand to take minutes of the court hearings became a thing of the past.    

Within her first year on the job, Allison also launched Montana's only child support program.  

Working with the IT department, checks could be plugged into the software and sent back by mail. Prior to the program, child support checks were placed in county coffers and reissued, which is a lengthy and expensive process.  

Moving into 1998, Allison found herself knocking on the IT department’s door once again. With its help, she launched the state’s first jury software program. By 2002, Allison had propelled another state first; online marriage application software. Couples no longer had to come into the office and fill out a form, which let her office avoid navigating illegible handwriting.   

Other technological advancements included creating an online jury questionnaire system, streamlining jury selection and document transference to defendants and plaintiffs. She also installed QuickBooks on all the computers, replacing the index card system being used for criminal restitution fines and feeds.  

When asked what has kept other courts from adopting similar digital programs, Allison said comfortability with the norm can keep people from making changes. 

“It is very important at times to continue the same processes that were in place when you took office. I think part of it is a fear thing,” she said. 

Funding has also always been a major issue too, she said. “The judiciary is the lowest funded branch of government in Montana.”  

But the office’s access to an IT department has been a saving grace to Allison.   

“Sitting down with a programmer and creating a piece of software that is going to make your life easier is so much fun,” she said. 

Allison was always energized by collaborating with programmers on projects that increased the efficiency of the office.  

“It’s like talking to an artist that doesn’t know what to paint next,” she said. “I am extremely, always have been, interested in technology and what technology can do for me,” she said. 

By 2019, Allison pulled the court into completely electronic filing. Mountains of papers stored in large vaults were scanned and tossed away, opening office space for a bigger team.  

“I am all about efficiency, and when a process or business practice is not as efficient as it could be, then I’m on it. My job is to make that process easier, faster, more fun, more secure, more accurate,” she said.  

The newest challenge she faces now is walking away from the office she piloted for over three decades.  

“I was excited for the changes that are coming. I was excited for Sara that she wanted to run for office, but at the same time, that was the day I gave up my job, so I’ve kind of been walking away from it ever since.” 

Leaving at 69 years old, Allison still wants to continue pushing herself. She plans to contract with the Montana Supreme Court to help adopt a new jury program. 

Allison is also thinking of going back to school. Economics has always been an interest. Or she might continue her education in forestry stewardship inspired by beginning last year to learn how to thin and maintain the trees on a small property out west of town. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.