Government Financial Transparency

The interactive website, developed in-house at no expense to taxpayers, provides a near real-time look into the financial operations of the Board of County Commissioners, Clerk and Port Authority. By highlighting data dating back three fiscal years, the Snapshot allows users to track spending trends 24/7 from anywhere in the world. The platform provides a deep dive into major revenue streams—including ad valorem property taxes, investments, and tourist development taxes—while also detailing the county’s debt and internal expenses, such as payroll.

What is included in the Snapshot ▾

The Snapshot includes seven categories outlining financials for the Board of County Commissioners, Clerk and Port Authority. These include: Cash and Investments, Significant Revenues, Payroll Expenses, Spending by Department, Spending by Vendor, Debt Service, and Budgeted Revenues. With records dating back three fiscal years, the Snapshot provides a clear picture of how public funds are managed over time.

The Clerk serves as the Comptroller for the Board of County Commissioners and the Port Authority, but it does not manage the finances for other constitutional officers. Therefore, the internal spending data for the Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections is handled by those individual offices and is not included in the Snapshot. The School District and other municipalities and taxing districts throughout Lee County are also not included.

 

Accessing Detailed and Historical Financial Records ▾

The Snapshot is designed to provide a digital overview of financial data, which can be exported and downloaded into spreadsheets. To see a specific document, such as a contract, invoice or purchase order, users can submit a Public Records Request. For general questions about the data or reports, you may call 239-533-2100.