Fiscal Year 2015MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of and for the Year Ended September 30, 2015
And Reports of Independent Auditor
r� Cherry Bekaert' "
CPAs 6 Advisors
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 1 - 2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Balance Sheet - Governmental Funds 3
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
Changes in Fund Balance - Governmental Funds-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Statement of Fiduciary Assets and
Liabilities- Agency Fund .................................................................................................................... 5
Notes to Financial Statements 6 - 12
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures -
Budget to Actual - General Fund ....................................................................................................... 13
Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures —
Budget to Actual — Special Revenue Court Related Fund -------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures —
Budget to Actual — Special Revenue Records Modernization Fund ------------------------------------------------------ 15
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Statement of Changes in Assets and Liabilities -
AgencyFund .-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS:
Report of Independent Auditor on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and
on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial
Statements Performed In Accordance with Government Auditing Standards --------------------------------- 17 - 18
Independent Auditor's Management Letter --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 - 21
Report of Independent Accountant on Compliance with Local Government
Investment Policies, Article V Requirements and Depository Requirements
of Sections 218.415, 28.35, 28.36 and 61.181, Florida Statutes------------------------------------------------------- 22
�� Cherry BekaertLLP
CFAs & Advisors
Report of Independent Auditor
To the Honorable Amy Heavilin,
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida:
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund
information of the Monroe County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court (the "Clerk") as of and for the year ended
September 30, 2015, and the related notes to the financial statements as listed in the table of contents.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design,
implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our
audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the
standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk
assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Clerk's preparation and fair presentation of
the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Clerk's internal control. Accordingly, we
express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and
the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit
opinions.
Opinions
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective
financial position of each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Clerk as of September
30, 2015, and the respective changes in financial position thereof for the year then ended, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Emphasis of Matter
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the financial statements referred to above were prepared
solely for the purpose of complying with the Rules of the Auditor General of the State of Florida. In conformity
with the Rules, the accompanying financial statements are intended to present the financial position and
changes in financial position of each fund of Monroe County, Florida that is attributable to the Clerk. They do not
purport to, and do not, present fairly the financial position of Monroe County, Florida as of September 30, 2015,
and the changes in its financial position for the fiscal year then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. Our opinions are not modified with respect to this matter.
Other Matters
Required Supplementary Information
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the Required
Supplementary Information as listed in the table of contents be presented to supplement the financial
statements. Such information, although not a part of the financial statements, is required by the Governmental
Accounting Standards Board, who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the
financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain
limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of
preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management's responses to our
inquiries, the financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the financial
statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited
procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.
Supplementary and Other Information
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively
comprise the Clerk's financial statements. The accompanying supplementary information as listed in the table of
contents is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements.
The accompanying supplementary information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and
relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. Such
information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and
certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying
accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements or to the financial statements
themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America. In our opinion, the supplementary information is fairly stated, in all material respects,
in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated April 12, 2016 on our
consideration of the Clerk's internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with
certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that
report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the
results of that testing and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting or on
compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing
Standards in considering the Clerk's internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
u,--1 `�� L I- R
Orlando, Florida
April 12, 2016
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
BALANCE SHEET
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
ASSETS
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Due from Board of County Commissioners
Due from other governmental agencies
Due from others
Due from other funds
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Due to Board of County Commissioners
Due to other governmental agencies
Due to other funds
Total liabilities
Fund Balances:
Restricted
Total liabilities and fund balances
Major Funds
Court Records
General Related Modernization
Totals
$ 386,461
$ 692,451
$ 2,615,796 $ 3,694,708
-
772
- 772
2,691
25,026
- 27,717
1,232
-
- 1,232
38,071
35,901
13,937 87,909
$ 428,455
$ 754,150
$ 2,629,733 $ 3,812,338
$ 111,008 $ 193,473 $ - $ 304,481
281,546 261,424 - 542,970
- 247,245 - 247,245
35,901 52,008 - 87,909
428,455 754,150 - 1,182, 605
- - 2,629,733 2,629,733
$ 428,455 $ 754,150 $ 2,629,733 $ 3, 812, 338
See notes to financial statements. 3
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCE
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Revenues
Taxes
Intergovernmental - Other
Intergovernmental - BOCC
Charges for services
Fines and forfeitures
Interest income
Miscellaneous
Total revenues
Expenditures
Current
General government
Salaries and benefits
Operating
Court related
Salaries and benefits
Operating
Capital outlay
Total expenditures
Excess of revenues over expenditures
Other financing sources and (uses)
Major Funds
Court
Records
General
Related
Modernization
Fund
Fund
Fund
Totals
$ 103,044
$ -
$ -
$ 103,044
55,817
1,024,161
-
1,079,978
2,866,790
650,141
-
3,516,931
802,089
1,046,743
284,014
2,132,846
-
1,393,268
197,097
1,590,365
12,771
9,127
6,264
28,162
9,461
4,775
-
14,236
3,849,972
4,128,215
487,375
8,465,562
2,358,372 - - 2,358,372
785,892 - - 785,892
- 2,999,807
- 2,999,807
- 668,991
- 668,991
478,860 27,640
- 506,500
3,623,124 3,696,438
- 7,319,562
226,848 431,777
487,375 1,146,000
Transfer to Board of County Commissioners (226,848) (179,178) - (406,026)
Transfer to Florida Department of Revenue - (252,599) - (252,599)
Total other financing sources and (uses) (226,848) (431,777) - (658,625)
Excess of revenues and other financing
sources over expenditures and other uses - - 487,375 487,375
Fund balances, beginning of year - - 2,142,358 2,142,358
Fund balances, end of year $ - $ - $ 2,629,733 $ 2,629,733
See notes to financial statements. 4
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AGENCY FUND
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Due from others
Due from other governmental agencies
Total assets
Liabilities
Due to others
Due to Board of County Commissioners
Due to other governmental agencies
Total liabilities
$ 5,059,815
6,338
10,809
$ 5,076,962
$ 4,084,171
104,810
887,981
$ 5,076,962
See notes to financial statements. 5
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 1—Summary of significant accounting policies
Reporting Entity - The Monroe County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court (the "Clerk") is a separately elected
county official established pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Florida. The Clerk's financial statements
do not purport to reflect the financial position or the results of operations of Monroe County, Florida (the
"County") taken as a whole. The financial statements of the Clerk have been prepared in accordance with the
accounting principles and reporting guidelines established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
("GASB").
Entity status for financial reporting purposes is governed by Statement No. 14, as amended. Although the
Clerk's Office is operationally autonomous and legally separate from the Board, it does not hold sufficient
corporate powers of its own to be considered a legally separate entity for financial reporting purposes.
Therefore, under GASB guidelines, the Clerk is reported as a part of the primary government of the County.
Description of Funds - The accounting records are organized for reporting purposes as three governmental
funds and a fiduciary fund.
General Fund - The General Fund is used to account for all revenues and expenditures applicable to the
general operations of the Clerk.
Court Related Fund — A special revenue fund is used to account for and report the proceeds of specific
revenue sources that are restricted or committed to expenditures for specified purposes other than debt
service or capital projects. The Court related fund is a special revenue fund created to account for and
report State and local funding restricted for the expenditure of court functions. Any excess funding over
actual expenditures is returned to either the Florida Department of Revenue or the Monroe County Board of
County Commissioners (the "Board"), depending on where funding originated.
Records Modernization Fund - The Records Modernization Fund is a special revenue fund used to account
for and report recording fees restricted for records modernization and court technology as specified in
Florida Statutes 28.24(12)(d)(e). Pursuant to Florida Statutes 28.37, 10% of all court -related fines collected
by the Clerk shall be deposited in the Clerk's Modernization Trust Fund for court -related operational needs
and program enhancements.
Fiduciary Fund - The Fiduciary fund of the Clerk is an Agency Fund, which is used to account for assets
held by the Clerk as agent.
Measurement focus, basis of accounting and financial statement presentation - The Clerk's financial
statements are prepared for the purpose of complying with Section 218.39(2), Florida Statutes, and Chapter
10.550, Rules of the Auditor General (the "Rules"), which require the Clerk to only present fund financial
statements.
The General Fund and the Special Revenue Funds are governmental funds which use the current financial
resources measurement focus and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized when
measurable and available. Revenues are considered to be available when they are collectible within the current
period or soon enough thereafter to pay liabilities of the current period. For this purpose, the Clerk considers
revenues to be available if they are collected within 60 days of the end of the current fiscal period, to be
available and thus recognizes them as revenues of the current year. Expenditures generally are recorded when
a liability is incurred, as under accrual accounting. However, expenditures related to compensated absences
and claims and judgments are recorded only when payment is due.
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 1—Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The Clerk reports the General Fund, Court Related Fund and the Records Modernization Fund as major
governmental funds and the Agency Fund as a fiduciary fund type. The Agency Fund is custodial in nature and
does not involve measurement of results of operations.
The Clerk's operations are segregated between court -related and non -court -related activities as defined by
Article V of the Florida Constitution. Any excess of court -related revenue over court -related expenditures as of
September 30 each year is paid to the State of Florida Department of Revenue Clerks' Trust Fund ("DOR").
Any excess of non -court related revenue over non -court related expenditures is reflected as a liability to the
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (the "Board").
Effective July 1, 2004, as a result of Revision 7 to Article V of the Constitution of the State of Florida, the
passage of Senate Bill 2962 and the revision of numerous Sections of Florida Statutes (collectively, Article V),
the Clerk became an entirely fee -based Constitutional Officer.
Effective July 1, 2009, as a result of the passage of Senate Bills 2108 and 1718, the Clerk became part of the
state appropriation process, wherein the Clerk receives a predetermined share of a statewide appropriation to
all State of Florida Clerks of Court. This appropriation is accounted for as intergovernmental revenue.
Effective July 1, 2013, as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 1512, the Clerk returned to being an entirely fee -
based Constitutional Officer. In accordance with this Bill, fee revenue began being recognized effective June 1,
2013.
The Clerk's operations are segregated between court -related and non -court -related activities as defined in
Article V. Any excess of court -related revenue over court -related expenditures as of September 30 each year is
paid to the State of Florida Department of Revenue Clerks' Trust Fund ("DOR"). Any excess of non -court -related
revenue over non -court -related expenditures is reflected as a liability to the Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners (the "Board").
Fund Balances Presentation — The Records Modernization Fund balance of the governmental funds is
classified as restricted. This classification includes amounts that can be spent only for specific purposes
because of constitutional provisions or enabling legislation or because of constraints that are externally imposed
by creditor, grantors, contributors or the laws or regulations of other governments.
Budgetary Requirements - Expenditures are controlled by appropriations in accordance with the budgetary
requirements set forth in the Florida Statutes. The budget is prepared on a basis consistent with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation ("CCOC") approves the budget for the Clerk's court -related
activities for the twelve -months ended September 30, 2015. The Clerk is not required to submit its non -court
related activities budget for approval. The non -court -related budget is the Clerk's General Fund budget. The
Clerk is not required to submit its court related special revenue fund budgets for approval to the Board.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Clerk's cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") or covered by State of Florida collateral pool and cash on
hand for operations.
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 1—Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Capital Assets - Tangible personal property used by the Clerk's operations are recorded in governmental fund
types as expenditures at the time assets are received and a liability is incurred. Purchased assets are
capitalized at historical cost in the government -wide financial statements of the County.
In addition, the Board provides administrative office space and certain other expenditures used by the Clerk at
no charge.
Compensated Absences - The Clerk permits employees to accumulate earned but unused vacation and sick
pay benefits. The Clerk is not legally required to and does not accumulate expendable available financial
resources to liquidate this obligation. The obligation for compensated absences is accrued in the government -
wide financial statements of the County. A summary of activity for the Clerk's compensated absences obligation
is as follows:
Balance, October 1, 2014 $ 422,849
Earned 424,134
Used 375,840
Balance, September 30, 2015 $ 471,143
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements requires management to make use of estimates that
affect reported amounts. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Note 2—Deposits and investments
As of September 30, 2015, the Clerk's cash and cash equivalents are held in demand deposits with a carrying
amount of $8,753,023 and a bank balance of $9,056,780.
The Clerk places its cash and cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions in the United States. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") which are insured by or covered by the State of Florida
collateral pool, a multiple financial institution pool with the ability to assess its members for collateral shortfalls if
a member institution fails. Cash on hand amounted to $1,500.
The Clerk follows Florida Statutes for its investment policy, which authorizes investments in certificates of
deposit, savings accounts, repurchase agreements, the Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund
administered by the Florida State Board of Administration, and obligations of the U.S. Government and
government agencies unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 3—Interfund receivables and payables
Interfund receivables and payables at September 30, 2015 consist of the following:
General Fund
Court Related Fund
Records Modernization Fund
Due from Due to
Other Funds Other Funds
38,071 $ 35,901
35,901 52,008
13,937 -
87,909 $ 87,909
The amounts are due to the Records Modernization Fund from the Court Related Fund per Florida Statute
requirements. The amounts are due to court related from the general fund due to a FY 16 court -related vendor
invoice originally charged against the Clerk's general fund. The amounts are due to the General fund from the
court related fund due to a transfer of BOCC intergovernmental revenues.
Note 4—Fund balance presentation
The restrictions placed on Clerk Records Modernization fund balance are described as follows:
Public Records Modernization Trust — Florida Statute 28.24(12)(d) requires the collection of an additional
service charge to be paid to the Clerk to be used exclusively for equipment, maintenance of equipment,
personnel training, and technical assistance in modernizing the public records system of the Clerk's Office.
Public Records Court Technology Trust — Florida Statute 28.24(12)(e)(1) requires the collection of an
additional service charge to be paid to the Clerk to be used exclusively for the operation and support of an
integrated computer system for the judicial agencies and to support the operations and maintenance of the
state court system.
10% Court -Related Fines — Florida Statute 28.37(2) requires the retention of 10% of court -related fines
collected by the Clerk's Office. The fines are to be used exclusively for additional Clerk court -related
operational needs and program enhancements.
Records Modernization restricted fund balances are as follows:
Public Records Modernization Trust
Public Records Court Technology
10% Court -Related Fines
Restricted Fund Balances
Note 5—Retirement system
809,857
609,580
1,210,296
2,629,733
Plan description — The Clerk's employees participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS). As provided by
Chapters 121 and 112, Florida Statutes, the FRS provides two cost sharing, multiple employer defined benefit
plans administered by the Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Retirement, including the
FRS Pension Plan ("Pension Plan") and the Retiree Health Insurance Subsidy ("HIS Plan"). Under Section
121.4501, Florida Statutes, the FRS also provides a defined contribution plan ("Investment Plan") alternative to
the FRS Pension Plan, which is administered by the State Board of Administration.
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 5—Retirement system (continued)
As a general rule, membership in the FRS is compulsory for all employees working in a regularly established
position for a state agency, county government, district school board, state university, community college, or a
participating city or special district within the State of Florida. The FRS provides retirement and disability
benefits, annual cost -of -living adjustments, and death benefits to plan members and beneficiaries. Benefits are
established by Chapter 121, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 60S, Florida Administrative Code. Amendments to
the law can be made only by an act of the Florida Legislature.
Benefits under the Pension Plan are computed on the basis of age, average final compensation, and service
credit. For Pension Plan members enrolled before July 1, 2011, Regular class members who retire at or after
age 62 with at least six years of credited service, or 30 years of service regardless of age are entitled to a
retirement benefit payable monthly for life, equal to 1.6% of their final average compensation based on the five
highest years of salary, for each year of credited service. Vested members with less than 30 years of service
may retire before age 62 and receive reduced retirement benefits. Senior Management Service class members
who retire at or after age 62 with at least six years of credited service or 30 years of service regardless of age
are entitled to a retirement benefit payable monthly for life, equal to 2.0% of their final average compensation
based on the five highest years of salary for each year of credited service. Elected Officers' class members who
retire at or after age 62 with at least six years of credited service or 30 years of service regardless of age are
entitled to a retirement benefit payable monthly for life, equal to 3.0% (3.33% for judges and justices) of their
final average compensation based on the five highest years of salary for each year of credited service.
Substantial changes were made to the Pension Plan during fiscal year 2011, affecting new members enrolled on
or after July 1, 2011 by extending the vesting requirement to eight years of credited service and increasing
normal retirement to age 65 or 33 years of service regardless of age. Also, the final average compensation for
these members is based on the eight highest years of salary.
Funding Policy — All enrolled members of the FRS Pension Plan are required to contribute 3.0% of their salary
to the FRS. In addition to member contributions, governmental employers are required to make contributions to
the FRS based on state-wide contribution rates. The employer contribution rates by job class for the periods
from October 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 and July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, respectively, were
as follows: regular - 7.37% and 7.26%; county elected officers - 43.24% and 42.27%; senior management -
21.14% and 21.43%; and DROP participants - 12.28% and 12.88%. During the fiscal year ended September 30,
2015, the Clerk contributed to the plan an amount equal to 9.36% of covered payroll.
The HIS Plan provides a monthly benefit to assist retirees in paying their health insurance costs and is
administered by the Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Retirement. Eligible retirees and
beneficiaries receive a monthly health insurance subsidy payment of $5 for each year of creditable service, with
a minimum payment of $30 and a maximum payment of $150 per month. The HIS Plan is funded by required
contributions from FRS participating employees as set forth by the Florida Legislature, based on a percentage of
gross compensation for all active FRS members.
In addition to the above benefits, the FRS administers a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). This
program allows eligible members to defer receipt of monthly retirement benefit payments while continuing
employment with a FRS employer for a period not to exceed 60 months after electing to participate. Deferred
monthly benefits are held in the FRS Trust Fund and accrue interest. There are no required contributions by
DROP participants.
10
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 5—Retirement system (continued)
For those members who elect participation in the Investment Plan, rather than the Pension Plan, vesting occurs
at one year of service. These participants receive a contribution for self -direction in an investment product with a
third party administrator selected by the State Board of Administration. Employer and employee contributions,
including amounts contributed to individual member's accounts, are defined by law, but the ultimate benefit
depends in part on the performance of investment funds. Benefit terms, including contribution requirements, for
the Investment Plan are established and may be amended by the Florida Legislature. The Investment Plan is
funded with the same employer and employee contribution rates that are based on salary and membership
class (Regular Class, Elected County Officers, etc.), as the FRS defined benefit plan. Contributions are directed
to individual member accounts, and the individual members allocate contributions and account balances among
various approved investment choices. Costs of administering the plan, including the FRS Financial Guidance
Program, are funded through an employer contribution of 0.04 percent of payroll and by forfeited benefits of plan
members.
The Clerk recognizes pension expenditures in an amount equal to amounts paid to the Pension Plan, the HIS
Plan and the investment plan, amounting to $290,063, $46,160 and $41,876, respectively, for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2015. The Clerk's payments for the Pension Plan and the HIS Plan after June 30, 2015,
the measurement date used to determine the net pension liability associated with the Pension Plan and HIS
Plan, amounted to $71,800 and $14,016, respectively. The Clerk is not legally required to and does not
accumulate expendable available resources to liquidate the retirement obligation related to its employees.
Accordingly, the net pension liability and associated deferred outflows and deferred inflows are presented on the
government -wide financial statements of the County, following requirements of GASB Statement No. 68,
Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions — an amendment of GASB Statement No. 27, and GASB
Statement No. 71, Pension Transition for Contributions Made Subsequent to the Measurement Date — an
amendment of GASB Statement No. 68, effective October 1, 2014.
The state of Florida annually issues a publicly available financial report that includes financial statements and
required supplementary information for the FRS. The latest available report may be obtained by writing to the
state of Florida Division of Retirement, Department of Management Services, P.O. Box 9000, Tallahassee,
Florida 32315-9000. That report may be viewed on the Florida Department of Management Services website
located at www.dms.mvflorida.com/workforce operations/retirement/publications.
Note 6—Other postemployment benefit (OPEB) plan
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC") administers a single -employer defined benefits
healthcare plan (the "Plan"). Florida Statutes 112.0801 requires the County to provide retirees and their eligible
dependents with the option to participate in the Plan if the County provides health insurance to its active
employees and their eligible dependents. The Plan provides medical coverage, prescription drug benefits, and
life insurance to both active and eligible retired employees. The Plan does not issue a publicly available financial
report.
The BOCC may amend the plan design, with changes to the benefits, premiums and/or levels of participant
contribution at any time. In an open session, on at least an annual basis and prior to the annual enrollment
process, the BOCC approves the rates for the coming calendar year for the retiree and County contributions.
Eligibility for postemployment participation in the Plan is limited to full-time employees of the County, and the
Constitutional Officers. Employees who retire as an active participant in the Plan and were hired on or after
October 1, 2001 may continue to participate in the Plan by paying the monthly premium established annually by
the BOCC. Employees who retire as an active participant in the plan, were hired prior to October 1, 2001, have
at least ten years of full-time service with the County, and meet the retirement criteria of the Florida Retirement
11
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Note 6—Other postemployment benefit (OPEB) plan (continued)
System (FRS), may maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following their retirement
provided they contribute a premium of $5 per month for each year of creditable service with the FRS at time of
retirement with Monroe County and will pay at a minimum $50 per month up to the maximum of $150 per
month. Retirees who have met the requirements for early retirement, have not achieved age 60 and whose age
and years of service do not equal 70 (rule of 70) must pay the standard monthly premium until the age criteria or
the rule of 70 is met. At that time, the retiree's cost of participation will be $5 for each year of creditable service
with the FRS at time of retirement with Monroe County and will pay at a minimum $50 per month up to the
maximum of $150 per month. Surviving spouses and dependents of participating retirees may continue in the
plan if eligibility criteria specific to those classes are met.
The BOCC engages an actuarial firm on a biannual basis to determine the County's actuarially determined
annual required contribution and unfunded obligation. The Sheriff has no responsibility to the Plan other than to
make the periodic payments determined by the BOCC. Further information about the Plan is available in the
County's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which is published on the Clerk's website at www.clerk-of-
the-court.com.
Note 7—Risk management
The Clerk is exposed to various risks of loss related to tort; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; errors
and omissions; injuries to employees; and natural disasters. The Clerk participates in the coverage provided by
the Board for Workers' Compensation, Group Insurance, and Risk Management Internal Service Funds. Under
these programs, Workers' Compensation provides $500,000 coverage per claim for regular employees.
Workers' Compensation claims in excess of the self -insured coverage are covered by an excess insurance
policy. Risk Management has a $5,000,000 excess insurance policy for general liability claims with a $200,000
self -insured retention, and building property damage is covered for the actual value of the building with a
deductible of $50,000. Deductibles for windstorm and flood vary by location. Monroe County purchases
commercial insurance for claims in excess of coverage provided by the funds and for all other risks of loss.
Settled claims have not exceeded this commercial coverage in any of the past three years. The Clerk makes
payments to the Workers' Compensation, Group Insurance and Risk Management Funds based on estimates of
the amounts needed to pay prior and current year claims.
Note 8—Lease commitments
Operating leases — The Clerk leases various office equipment under cancelable arrangements accounted for
as operating leases. Total lease expenditures were $58,401 for the year ended September 30, 2015. The
following is a schedule of minimum future rent obligations under non -cancelable leases with terms in excess of
one year:
2016
2017
Total
Note 9—Litigation
7,889
2,959
$ 10,848
The Clerk is a party from time to time in various lawsuits and other claims incidental to the ordinary course of its
operation, some of which are covered by the Board's self-insurance program. While the results of litigation
cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes the final outcome of such litigation will not have a
material adverse effect on the Clerk's financial position.
12
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES - BUDGET TO ACTUAL
GENERALFUND
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Revenues
Taxes
Intergovernmental - Other
Intergovernmental - BOCC
Charges for services
Interest income
Miscellaneous
General Fund
Variance
Original
Final
Positive
Budget
Budget
Actual
(Negative)
$ 238,495
$ 103,000
$ 103,044
$ 44
55,817
55,817
55,817
-
2,867,468
2,866,791
2,866,790
(1)
574,511
705,777
802,089
96,312
8,744
12,000
12,771
771
1,850
3,500
9,461
5,961
Total revenues
3,746,885
3,746,885
3,849,972
103,087
Expenditures
Current
General government
Clerk recording
442,728
342,728
377,786
(35,058)
Clerk information systems
584,838
1,104,838
1,095,478
9,360
Clerk finance
1,814,926
1,799,926
1,815,525
(15,599)
Internal audit
321,403
201,403
176,030
25,373
Tourist tax audit
233,495
23,495
12,955
10,540
Non -court records management
159,495
84,495
145,350
(60,855)
Total expenditures
3,556,885
3,556,885
3,623,124
(66,239)
Excess of revenues over (under) expenditures
(190,000)
(190,000)
226,848
36,848
Other financing sources and uses
Contingency
190,000
190,000
-
190,000
Transfer to Board of County Commissioners
-
-
(226,848)
(226,848)
Total other financing sources and uses
190,000
190,000
(226,848)
(36,848)
Net change in fund balance
Fund balance, beginning of year
Fund balance, end of year $ $ $ $
13
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES - BUDGET TO ACTUAL
SPECIAL REVENUE COURT RELATED FUND
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Revenues
Intergovernmental - Other
Intergovernmental - BOCC
Charges for services
Fines and forfeitures
Interest Income
Miscellaneous income
Total revenues
Expenditures
Current
Court Related
Clerk administration
Clerk records management
Clerk jury management
Clerk circuit court criminal
Clerk circuit court civil
Clerk court information systems
Clerk circuit court family
Clerk circuit court juvenile
Clerk circuit court probate
Clerk county court criminal
Clerk county court civil
Clerk county court traffic
Total expenditures
Excess of revenues over expenditures
Other financing sources and uses
Transfer to Board of County Commissioners
Transfer to Florida Department of Revenue
Total other financing sources and uses
Net change in fund balance
Fund balance, beginning of year
Fund balance, end of year
Special Revenue
Court Related Fund
Variance
Original
Final
Positive
Budget
Budget
Actual
(Negative)
$ 1,234,389
$ 1,234,389
$ 1,024,161
$ (210,228)
650,141
650,141
650,141
-
907,500
907,500
1,046,743
139,243
1,154,900
1,154,900
1,393,268
238,368
1,500
1,500
9,127
7,627
-
4,775
4,775
3,948,430
3,948,430
4,128,215
179,785
600,170
600,170
398,486
201,684
246,775
246,775
310,262
(63,487)
174,015
174,015
112,481
61,534
690,544
690,544
721,158
(30,614)
490,812
490,812
416,386
74,426
140,948
140,948
246,040
(105,092)
125,190
125,190
140,450
(15,260)
77,550
77,550
60,036
17,514
93,478
93,478
102,183
(8,705)
543,806
543,806
540,647
3,159
146,900
146,900
205,799
(58,899)
618,242
618,242
442,510
175,732
3,948,430
3,948,430
3,696,438
251,992
-
-
431,777
431,777
(179,178)
(179,178)
(252,599)
(252,599)
(431,777)
(431,777)
14
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES - BUDGET TO ACTUAL
SPECIAL REVENUE RECORDS MODERNIZATION FUND
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Special Revenue
Records Modernization Fund
Variance
Original
Final
Positive
Budget
Budget
Actual
(Negative)
Revenues
Charges for services
$ 150,000
$ 150,000 $
284,014
$ 134,014
Fines
100,000
100,000
197,097
97,097
Interest income
2,800
2,800
6,264
3,464
Total revenues
252,800
252,800
487,375
234,575
Expenditures
Current
Court related
Modernization trust
732,700
732,700
732,700
Clerk fines
633,100
633,100
633,100
Total expenditures
1,365,800
1,365,800
1,365,800
Excess of revenues over (under) expenditures (1,113,000) (1,113,000) 487,375 1,600,375
Net change in fund balance (1,113,000) (1,113,000) 487,375 1,600,375
Fund balance, beginning of year 2,142,358 2,142,358 2,142,358 -
Fund balance, end of year $ 1,029,358 $ 1,029,358 $ 2,629,733 $ 1,600,375
15
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AGENCY FUND
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Balance
Balance
October 1,
September 30,
2014
Additions
Deductions
2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,966,491
$
5,355,267
$
4,261,943
$ 5,059,815
Due from other governmental agencies
486,229
3,618
479,038
10,809
Due from others
11,980
6,338
11,980
6,338
Total assets
$
4,464,700
$
5,365,223
$
4,752,961
$ 5,076,962
Liabilities
Due to others
$
3,864,433
$
4,313,164
$
4,093,426
$ 4,084,171
Due to Board of County Commissioners
253,168
104,810
253,168
104,810
Due to other governmental agencies
347,099
1,429,124
888,242
887,981
Total liabilities
$
4,464,700
$
5,847,098
$
5,234,836
$ 5,076,962
16
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
Report of Independent Auditor on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on
Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in
Accordance with Government Auditing Standards
To the Honorable Amy Heavilin,
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida:
We have audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and
the standards applicable to the financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States, the financial statements of each major fund and the aggregate
remaining fund information of the Monroe County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court (the "Clerk") as of and for
the year ended September 30, 2015, and the related notes to the financial statements, and have issued our
report thereon dated April 12, 2016 for the purpose of compliance with Section 218.39(2), Florida Statutes and
Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Auditor General -Local Governmental Entity Audits.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the Clerk's internal control over
financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances
for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Clerk's internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the
effectiveness of the Clerk's internal control.
A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or
employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect and correct
misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in
internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Clerk's financial
statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a
deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet
important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
Our consideration of the internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this
section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or
significant deficiencies. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not identify any deficiencies in internal
control that we consider to be material weaknesses. However, material weaknesses may exist that have not
been identified.
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Clerk's financial statements are free from material
misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and
grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of
financial statement amounts. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an
objective of our audit, and accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed no
instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing
Standards.
17
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and
the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the Clerk's internal control or on
compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing
Standards in considering the Clerk's internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not
suitable for any other purpose.
Orlando, Florida
April 12, 2016
18
�� Cherry Bekaert`
CFAs & Advisors
Independent Auditor's Management Letter
To the Honorable Amy Heavilin,
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida:
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the financial statements of the Monroe County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court (the "Clerk"),
as of and for the year ended September 30, 2015, and have issued our report thereon dated April 12, 2016.
Auditor's Responsibility
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by
the Comptroller General of the United States; and Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Auditor General.
Other Reports
We have issued our Report of Independent Auditor on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on
Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with
Government Auditing Standards, and Report of Independent Accountant on Compliance with Local Government
Investment Policies, Article V Requirements and Depository Requirements of Sections 218.415, 28.35, 28.36
and 61.181, Florida Statutes, regarding compliance requirements in accordance with Chapter 10.550, Rules of
the Auditor General. Disclosures in those reports, which are dated April 12, 2016, should be considered in
conjunction with this management letter.
Prior Audit Findings
Section 10.554(1)(i)1., Rules of the Auditor General, requires that we determine whether or not corrective
actions have been taken to address findings and recommendations made in the preceding annual financial audit
report. There were no recommendations made in the preceding audit report.
Official Title and Legal Authority
Section 10.554(1)(i)4., Rules of the Auditor General, requires that the name or official title and legal authority for
the primary government and each component unit of the reporting entity be disclosed in this management letter,
unless disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Clerk is a separately elected county official
established pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Florida. There are no component units related to the
Clerk.
Other Matters
Section 10.554(1)(i)2., Rules of the Auditor General, requires that we address in the management letter any
recommendations to improve financial management. See Appendix A for our recommendation. We did not audit
the Clerk's response to this matter, which is also provided in Appendix A, and, accordingly, we express no
opinion on it.
Section 10.554(1)(i)3., Rules of the Auditor General, requires that we address noncompliance with provisions of
contracts or grant agreements, or abuse, that have occurred, or are likely to have occurred, that have an effect
on the financial statements that is less than material but which warrants the attention of those charged with
governance. In connection with our audit, we did not have any such findings.
Purpose of This Letter
The purpose of this management letter is to communicate certain matters prescribed by Chapter 10.550, Rules
of the Auditor General. Accordingly, this management letter is not suitable for any other purpose.
�- e
Orlando, Florida
April 12, 2016
19
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
MANAGEMENT LETTER COMMENTS (CURRENT YEAR)-APPENDIXA
Finding 2015-001 SUBSEQUENT DISBURSEMENT
Observation:
The Court Related Fund assets were understated and operating expenditures were overstated by $35,901 due
to an inadvertent yearend accrual which was a fiscal year 2016 expenditure. Management agreed and an
adjusting journal entry was posted in order to correct this misstatement.
Expenses and payables should be recorded to the fiscal year in which the expenses were incurred.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the process for accruing invoices at yearend be reevaluated to ensure systematic errors do
not occur and that, although only one item was missed out of a large volume of transactions, diligence continue
to be enforced in the review of invoices for accruals.
Management Response:
During year-end processing of payment transactions, a single processing error was made that was immediately
corrected when it was discovered. The error was the result of inadvertent coding of a vendor transaction to the
incorrect fiscal year.
The expenditure was related to maintenance for the redaction project for the Clerk's case management system.
The vendor contract for this complex automation project was executed in April 2015. Clerk management advised
staff that the year-end vendor invoice would require careful review to determine which fiscal year to charge the
expenditure. In response, staff reviewed the vendor contract and interpreted the contract language as stated in
the maintenance agreement was effective upon an executed contract. Staff also attempted to confirm their
understanding with the vendor but misinterpreted the vendor's technical response. As a result, staff coded the
expenditure to the incorrect year. When staff was advised of the error, it was corrected immediately.
Finance Department Management will continue to be diligent in performing monthly reconciliations and adjust,
correct and resolve issues on a timely basis throughout the fiscal year.
Finding 2015-002 - PRIOR YEAR ERROR
Observation:
Through current year reconciliation processes a prior year error was discovered by the Clerk staff which resulted
in the overstatement of cash and revenue of $14,185 in the prior year and an understatement of revenue of
$14,185 in the current year. Management deemed the effects of this error to be immaterial to the financial
statements taken as a whole and has passed on posting this entry.
Recommendation:
We recommend the continued monitoring, reconciling and reviewing of accounts to reduce the risk of similar
errors in the future.
20
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
MANAGEMENT LETTER COMMENTS (CURRENT YEAR)—APPENDIXA
Management Response:
As attested to by the auditor's observation, Clerk staff perform monthly reconciliations and reviews throughout
the year which allow us to ensure accounts are accurately stated and errors are corrected in a timely manner.
Through the reconciliation process, Clerk staff discovered revenue primarily relating to overpayments under $10
from the Clerk's recording function was not properly classified in the prior year. As allowed by F.S. 28.244,
overpayments under $10 are retained by the Clerk's office and staff reclassified the prior year entry to ensure
that this revenue was appropriately recorded.
Finance Department Management will continue to be diligent in performing monthly reconciliations and adjust,
correct and resolve issues on a timely basis throughout the fiscal year.
21
`� Cherry Bekaert"P
CPAs & Advisors
Report of Independent Accountant on Compliance
With Local Government Investment Policies, Article V Requirements
and Depository Requirements of Sections 218.415, 28.35, 28.36 and 61.181, Florida Statutes
To the Honorable Amy Heavilin,
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida:
Report on Compliance
We have examined the Monroe County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court's (the "Clerk's") compliance with the
local government investment policy requirements of Section 218.415, Florida Statutes, Article V requirements of
Sections 28.35 and 28.36, Florida Statutes, and depository requirements for alimony transactions, support,
maintenance and support payments of Section 61.181, Florida Statutes, for the year ended September 30,
2015. Management is responsible for the Clerk's compliance with those requirements. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on the Clerk's compliance based on our examination.
Scope
Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants and, accordingly, included examining, on a test basis, evidence about the Clerk's
compliance with those requirements and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Our examination
does not provide a legal determination on the Clerk's compliance with specified requirements.
Opinion
In our opinion, the Clerk complied, in all material respects, with the aforementioned requirements for the year
ended September 30, 2015.
Orlando, Florida
April 12, 2016
22