As David Ditch wraps up his first term as Iberia Parish Clerk of Court, his tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments, the fulfillment of campaign promises, and ambitious goals for the future. Ditch, who entered office with a pledge to implement transformative changes, has adopted a business-like approach, introduced cutting-edge technology, and maintained an inclusive philosophy where every citizen is a stakeholder.

Throughout his term, Ditch has delivered on his fiscal promises, maintaining a positive revenue balance for all four years, including during the pandemic. He applied his private sector experience to manage employee counts, negotiate lower benefit costs, and implement new services that increased foot traffic and tapped into previously untapped revenue sources. “People don’t realize that your Clerk of Court’s office is the only governmental agency in the Parish that relies 100 percent on self-generated fees. Since taking over this office, I, along with the hard work of our employees, have put our office in a position to actually give money back to the Parish each year,” Ditch said.

The office has undergone a technological overhaul, replacing recording, civil, and criminal software systems to better serve end users. These new systems allow seamless integration, paperless processes, and e-signatures, enabling the public, judiciary, and state government to access, file, and sign documents electronically. This technological shift has

reduced labor and storage costs while increasing efficiency among existing staff. “When I came to the Clerk’s office, there was no email. Within four short years, we have not only installed email but also transformed systems so that any judge, lawyer, or citizen can now access, e-file, and make payments on our system from anywhere in the world,” Ditch noted.

One of Ditch’s early campaign promises was to treat every person in the Parish equally, regardless of their status. “Many public officials sit behind secretaries, locked doors, and appointment calendars. It was a goal of mine to erase those barriers between the public and their Clerk. I remain as accessible today as I was in the constituents’ living rooms asking for their votes. I am most proud of this promise kept,” Ditch said.

As Ditch begins his second term on July 1st, he and his staff are not planning to rest on their laurels. New technological advancements are on the horizon, including real-time transmission of service data from the Sheriff’s office to the Clerk and real-time access to criminal data, allowing victims of violent crime to follow the prosecution of their cases. “We remain committed partners with our Sheriff, Judges, and District Attorney as we continue to invest in technology that brings down barriers, increases transparency, and drives efficiency. Our citizens need local officials to work together, and I remain committed to doing just that,” Ditch said.

“My goals heading into my second term remain the same. I am steadfastly committed to bringing cutting-edge technology, unmatched customer service, and unparalleled access to our office for the citizens of Iberia Parish that I am so blessed to represent,” Ditch affirmed.

Information regarding the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court services can be found at www.IberiaClerk.com