Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes is proud to announce the release of his office’s fourth popular annual financial report, which details Lee County’s finances.

In the 24-page report, titled The Sand Dollar, readers can learn how their tax dollars were collected, managed and spent.

The award-winning Sand Dollar is issued annually by Clerk Karnes, who is responsible for managing and auditing all county funds. As Comptroller for Lee County, Clerk Karnes is the county auditor, county recorder, and custodian of all county funds. Through the Comptroller function of his role, Clerk Karnes is responsible for managing and investing more than $2.7 billion of Lee County’s tax dollars annually.

The Sand Dollar is a free, easy-to-read guide that outlines trends in county property taxes, housing, employment, and major construction projects impacting residents. Information about tourism revenue, investments and debt are also featured.

“As Comptroller for Lee County, I believe in transparency, which is why my team produces this financial report detailing the county’s economic health,” said Karnes. “All taxpayers in Lee County should read this because it shows you exactly how your tax dollars are being used. I encourage you to either download or pick up a free copy of The Sand Dollar so you can learn all about the state of the county’s finances.”

This issue of The Sand Dollar is based on fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct. 1, 2023, and ended on Sept. 30, 2024.

Highlights of this year’s report include:

• Lee County is home to one of the fastest-growing populations in the country, increasing by 24.2% since 2015.
• The median single-family home sales price decreased 4.3% over the last fiscal year while total home sales increased by 4.2%.
• Property tax collections increased 91.2% over the past decade. In fiscal year 2024, Lee County hit a new record, with more than $550.7 million in property taxes collected.
• Impact fees increased 20.4% over the previous fiscal year. Impact fees ensure that new developments help pay for the increased transportation, parks, schools, fire protection and emergency medical services that are needed by that development.

Hard copies of the report are available at all county libraries and the Clerk’s offices. You can also download the report at www.leeclerk.org/thesanddollar.

For more information about county finances and the financial reports available from the Clerk’s office, visit www.leeclerk.org/finances.