We had a fantastic February with 44 couples joining our Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony! At the end of our newsletter, we are pleased to share some photos of the happy couples. This event would not have been possible without our sponsors and community partners. We encourage you to support their businesses. For couples unable to join us this year, we hope to celebrate with you in 2025!
In this issue of The Clerk’s Report, I want to highlight important statewide initiatives to improve the Florida Guardianship System and judicial requirements for guardians. Most recently, Florida lawmakers have proposed new guardianship bills to provide more transparency and oversight of guardians and their wards. Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia and Orlando Democratic Rep. Rita Harris have filed substantively identical bills (Senate Bill 48, House Bill 887) to improve the state guardianship process. This new legislation indicated new requirements, such as appointing public guardians on a rotating basis.
Throughout the year, I have been sharing insights into budgeting shortfalls for Courthouse operations around the state. On page three, I provided an article that breaks down how the money from a typical traffic violation is distributed. The allocation of funds from citations and fees is varied, but understanding this process will help you see how your money is being used. It also highlights the pivotal role of fees in maintaining the efficiency of the justice system, supporting local and state initiatives, and expediting the handling of various cases.
In March, we celebrate Government Finance Professionals Week, recognizing the role and vital services finance professionals provide for their local government and community. I am proud to share that our team recently received notice that our Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the year ended September 30, 2022, has received the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA) award for PAFR reporting. The requirements for the award program are based on an evaluation of the information presented, reader appeal, understandability, distribution as well as creativity and usefulness. Congratulations to our finance professionals for another job well done!
I am pleased to share that we have released an upgrade to Collier County’s Official Records System. This update is part of my commitment to increased transparency and accessibility of government services. Many services that were previously only offered in person, will now be available from the convenience of your computer and smart phone.
Passport Saturday is returning this weekend on March 9, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Heritage Bay Government Center. This event is perfect for residents that need to submit their passport applications on a more flexible schedule. Last year, 182 passport applications were processed during the event. We are looking forward to another successful year!
Read the full March 2024 Newsletter here.
