‘Shining a light on government spending:’ Lee Clerk launches community website detailing how tax dollars are being spent
Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes has launched a new website detailing how county tax dollars are being managed and spent.
The site is intended to promote transparency in government spending.
The interactive site, called the Sand Dollar Snapshot, allows users to view live, multi-year financial data from the Clerk, Board of County Commissioners, and Port Authority without the need for public records requests. It went live Wednesday and can be found by visiting the Lee Clerk’s homepage at leeclerk.org or going directly to leeclerk.org/SDS.
“We are so excited to lead our industry by creating the Sand Dollar Snapshot, and I couldn’t be prouder of this website and how it promotes accountability and transparency in government spending,” Karnes said in a prepared statement. “I have been working hard to grow the role of Comptroller. It is an extremely important part of serving as Lee County’s Clerk and Comptroller, and as the county’s Chief Financial Officer, I believe we owe it to our community to shine a light on how tax dollars are being spent.”
The Sand Dollar Snapshot is an extension of the Clerk’s award-winning popular annual financial report, The Sand Dollar, which is released each spring.
The Sand Dollar Snapshot was created and built internally by the Clerk’s Department of Innovation & Technology team and did not cost any taxpayer money. The site features information on major revenue data, such as ad valorem property tax, tourist development tax, and investment revenue. It also provides data on the county’s debt and expenses.
The Sand Dollar Snapshot displays near real-time data from both the current and previous fiscal years. This allows the public to track Lee County government spending 24/7, from anywhere in the world.
“I am very excited to share the Sand Dollar Snapshot with our community, and I want to encourage everyone to head to www.leeclerk.org/SDS and begin exploring and learning exactly how their tax dollars are managed and spent,” Karnes said. “As good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we owe it to our citizens to make sure they are informed on how those funds are being used. The Sand Dollar Snapshot truly encompasses our mission, vision and values.”
On Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m., Karnes will hosting an online class for anyone who would like an in-depth, interactive walkthrough of the Sand Dollar Snapshot website. The free class will help attendees learn how to best utilize the site by teaching them all about available features and helpful navigation tips, the different types of financial reports available, how to navigate each financial report, and much more. Visit leeclerk.org/events to register.
About the Clerk’s Office
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Clerk Kevin Karnes is directly elected by and accountable to Lee County residents. In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk is the County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County.