County Comptroller and Treasurer

While serving as the County Comptroller, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller is the custodian of all county funds.

Through this office, payments are made to vendors and other entities that provide services to the County government. Although state law establishes 45 days as the threshold for payments, this office has set a goal of 7 days from receipt of a valid invoice approved by Sarasota County Government.

Rating agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities Exchange Commission, and other institutions rely on the financial records kept by this office. This includes preparing and publishing the county’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), along with other reports designed to support the community’s interests.

As Treasurer, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller manages the banking relationships for county government and investment of Sarasota County’s public funds to maximize earnings while minimizing risk for an investment portfolio of nearly $2 billion.

The roles and duties of the Comptroller’s Office are carried out through the following services:

Reporting and Financial Services
Oversees all accounts, ledgers, and financial reporting systems for Sarasota County, and presents financial reports to federal, state, and local agencies as required by law.

Accounts Payable Services
Pre-audits expenditures of the Board of County Commissioners prior to payment. This pre-audit ensures that the expenditure serves a legitimate public purpose, has been procured in accordance with the procurement code, and has sufficient budget authority.

Payroll Services
Pre-audits and processes payroll for employees of the Board of County Commissioners, as well as other Constitutional Officers, and ensures all federal and state payroll-related reporting requirements have been met.

Treasury Management, Investment, And Portfolio Services
Invests and earns income on surplus public funds, ultimately reducing the burden on taxpayers. In accordance with the Investment Policy adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, the Treasurer proactively manages the portfolio to maximize investment earnings while protecting tax dollars.

Debt Administration Services
Participates in the issuance of county debt, monitors debt while outstanding, ensuring the timely payment of debt service obligations, ensures accurate accounting for all debt transactions, and ensures post-issuance compliance requirements are met.