In an effort to promote transparency in government spending, Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes is proud to announce a new website detailing how county tax dollars are being managed and spent.

The new 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 today, February 11, and can be found by visiting the Lee Clerk’s homepage at www.leeclerk.org or going directly to www.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,” said Clerk Karnes. “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,” said Clerk Karnes. “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, February 26, from 2-3 p.m., Clerk Karnes is 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 www.leeclerk.org/events to register.