The Lee County Clerk has received the 38th consecutive award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for outstanding financial reporting. The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Achievement, the highest recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. Achieving this award represents a significant achievement by the government and its management team.
More than 200 pages of financial statements are prepared by the Clerk's Office after each fiscal year and detail Lee County government's revenues and expenditures. This includes financial information such as a statement of net worth, county fund balances, and debt information.
GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting Excellence was established in 1945 to encourage state and local governments to increase financial transparency. Reports are reviewed by accountants and financial experts across the country.
In addition to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Lee Clerk's popular annual financial report titled The Sand Dollar also received national recognition from GFOA. Sand Dollar received his second award for outstanding performance in general annual financial reporting. The Sand Dollar is Lee County's annual report detailing the major economic factors impacting county residents. The 20-page report tells readers how their tax dollars are collected, managed, and spent.
“Our team of highly skilled financial professionals produce reports like this each year to help the public understand how their taxes are collected, managed, and spent. I am very proud of it.” said store clerk Kevin Kearns. “These award-winning reports are an example of how our office ensures transparency for county taxpayers.”
In addition to his duties as Clerk of the Circuit Court, Clerk Kearns also serves as the Lee County Auditor. That is, he is the county auditor, county recorder, and custodian of all county funds. Through his role as Comptroller, Clerk Kearns is responsible for managing and investing approximately $2 billion in Lee County's annual tax dollars. His office also conducts audits, pays more than $1 billion in county bills and collects an average of $50 million a year in tourism taxes.
For more information about county finances and to view financial reports available from the clerk's office, visit leeclark.org/finances.
About the office
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee responsible for protecting public records and public funds. Clerk Kevin Kearns is directly elected by and is accountable to the residents of Lee County. In addition to the circuit court clerk's role, the clerk is the county recorder and clerk of the county commission, as well as Lee County's chief financial officer, treasurer and auditor.
