POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Given the financial strain the COVID-19 pandemic has put on the office, the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is planning to lay off and furlough dozens of workers.In a news release on Friday, Clerk Stacy Butterfield pointed out that the office is funded by fines, fees, service charges and court costs, which have all been on the decline since courtrooms and offices closed for in-person visits.On top of that, Butterfield said the clerk’s office suffered a $1.6 million budget cut for the current fiscal year, which ends in about three months.“I deeply regret that I had to take these actions,” Butterfield said. “While courthouses may have closed due to COVID-19, the majority of our operations have.