Report No. 08803, Property Appraiser 8803
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
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*** MONROE COUNTY ***
PROPERTY APPRAISER
As of September 30, 1975
8803
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
Report on Audit
of the Accounts of
MONROE COUNTY
PROPERTY APPRAISER
As of September 30, 1975
Dated: August 6, 1976
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ips. STATE OF FLORIDA
o�t OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
ERNEST ELLISON,C.P. N. Tallahassee, Florida
AUDITOR GENERAL August 6, 1976
The Legislative Auditing Committee
of the Legislature
and the
Governor of Florida
Sirs:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.45, Florida Statutes, I
have directed that an audit be made of the accounts and records of the
HONORABLE JOE ALLEN
MONROE COUNTY
PROPERTY APPRAISER
For the period beginning April 1, 1974,
Par. and ending September 30, 1975,
No.
and present this report thereon.
(1) Since the income of the office was reported .for the period from
January 1, 1974, to September 30, 1974, the income for that entire nine-
month period is shown in this report.
(2) The title of the constitutional officer Tax Assessor within each
county was changed to Property Appraiser effective January 7, 1975, under the
amendment to Article VIII, Section 1, of the Constitution of the State of
Florida.
SCOPE AND OPINION
(3) I have examined the financial statements of the General (Operating)
Fund of the Monroe County Property Appraiser for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1974, and the fiscal year ended September 30, 1975. My
examination was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
and accordingly included such tests of the accounting records and such other
auditing procedures as I considered necessary in the circumstances.
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Par.
No.
(4) In my opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly
the financial position of the General (Operating) Fund of the Monroe County
Property Appraiser at September 30, 1975, and the results of operations of the
General (Operating) Fund for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1974,
and the fiscal year ended September 30, 1975, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.
FINANCIAL POSITION
(5) The financial position of the General (Operating) Fund at September 30,
1975, is shown on exhibit A.
FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
Tax Rolls
(6) An examination of the procedures and methods used by the Property
Appraiser in the valuation of property and a determination of the accuracy of
his valuations shown on the tax rolls are not included in the scope of this
audit.
(7) Corrections to the tax rolls by the Appraiser, after delivery of the
tax rolls to the Tax Collector, were made in accordance with Section 12B-1.139,
Rules of the Department of Revenue.
(8) The valuations on the county tax rolls for the years in the audit
period, as shown on the Appraiser's recapitulations, are summarized as follows:
Valuations Tax Rol 1
1973 1974
Countywide Nonexempt for School
Operating Purposes $494,180,245
Homestead Exempt, Section 196.031(3),
Florida Statutes 7,462,900
Countywide Nonexempt (1) $501,643,145 $ 682,741,498
Constitutional Homestead Exempt 38,208,351 40,605,650
Homestead Exempt, Section 196.031(3) ,
Florida Statutes (1) 8,416,000
Other Exempt 166,156,840 298,003,313
Total Appraised $706,008,336 $1,029,766,461
Note: (1) Additional homestead exemption was extended to all operating levies
effective with the 1974 roll by Chapter 74-264, Acts of 1974.
Budgets
(9) Budgets were prepared and submitted to the Department of Revenue as
prescribed by Section 195.087, Florida Statutes. A summary of the approved
budget amounts and a comparison with actual amounts is shown on exhibit B.
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Par.
No.
Revenues and Expenditures
(10) The financial reports of revenues and expenditures for the nine-
month period from January 1, 1974, to September 30, 1974, and the fiscal year
1974-75, were promptly filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 218.36,
Florida Statutes.
Compensation
(11) The Property Appraiser's compensation was governed by Chapter 145,
Florida Statutes. Additional personal compensation was earned for services
rendered in preparing the 1972 and 1973 tax rolls for the Cities of Key
Colony Beach and Key West as authorized by Chapters 75-408 and 75-411, Acts
of 1975. Total compensation earned is shown on exhibit B.
Retirement and Social Security
(12) Retirement and social security contributions were properly deducted
from salaries paid to eligible employees. These contributions, together with
contributions for the Appraiser's personal account, were remitted on a timely
basis.
RECORDS AND INTERNAL CONTROL
(13) Financial records complied substantially with the requirements of
Chapter 219, Florida Statutes.
(14) The records and procedures provided reasonable internal control for
the Appraiser's office.
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EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are attached to and form part of this report:
EXHIBIT - A General (Operating) Fund - Balance Sheet.
EXHIBIT - B General (Operating) Fund - Statement of Revenues and Expenditures.
EXHIBIT - C General (Operating) Fund - Statement of Changes in Fund Balance.
EXHIBIT - D Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
EXHIBIT - E Notes to Financial Statements.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) Ernest Ellison, C.P.A.
Auditor General
Audit supervised by:
(Signed) Willard G. Hale
Audit made by:
(Signed) Jose F. Montes-de-Oca
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EXHIBIT - A MONROE COUNTY
PROPERTY APPRAISER
GENERAL (OPERATING) FUND
BALANCE SHEET
September 30, 1975
ASSETS
Cash in Banks $ 94,849.82
Due from Board of County Commissioners 973.74
Due from City of Key West 5,413.00
Due from City of Key Colony Beach 653.00
Due from Property Appraiser 129.13
TOTAL $102,018.69
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE
Liabilities:
Balance Due Various Taxing Authorities $ 1,268.05
Fund Balance 100,750.64
TOTAL $102,018.69
See accompanying summary of significant accounting
policies and notes to financial statements.
EXHIBIT - A
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MONROE COUNTY EXHIBIT - B
PROPERTY APPRAISER
GENERAL (OPERATING/ FUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
JANUARY I , 1974 ro SEPTEMBER 30, 1975
Nine-month Period Ended 9-30-74 Fiscal Year Ended 9-30-75
Budget Actual Over (Under) Budget Actual Over Made')
Budget Budget
Revenues:
From Governmental Units:
Board of County Commissioners $ $337.515.00 $ $ $441.838.91 $
District School Board 7.652.94 10,796.59
Mosquito Control District 27,333.24 35,506.48
Lower Florida Keys Hospital
District 12.547.07 12,632.21
Waste Collection and Disposal
District 4.141.34 22.254.14
Central and Southern Florida
Flood Control District 258.35 259.03
City of Key Colony Beach 2.014.07
Total from Governmental Units 388,494.00 $391,462.01 2,968.01 525,407.00 $523,287.36 (2, 119.641
Other Fees 61.71 61.71 623.23 623.23
Total Revenues $386,494.00 $791,523.72 $ 3,029.72 $525.407.00 $523.910.59 $ (1,496.41)
Expenditures:
Salaries and Benefits:
Appraiser's Salary $ $ 15,228.75(1/ $ $ $ 22,221.00(11 $
Other Salaries and Benefits 210,749.25 285,767.27
Total Salaries and Benefits 211,994.00 $225.978.00 13,984.00 326.327.00 $307,988.27 (18,338.731
Other Personal Services:
Legal Fees $ $ 2,300.00
Appraisal Services 25.000.00 2,950.00
Temporary Employment 13,037.85
Total Other Personal Services 46,200.00 $ 25,000.00 (21,200.00) 54,080.00 $ 18,287.85 (35,792.15)
Expenses:
Travel $ 3,785.16 $ 5.524.02
Printing, Notices, Stationery 320.25 915.83
Postage - Express 3,722.25 6.239.18
Telephone and Telegraph 1.462.24 2,546.57
Auto Expense 8,932.19 14,047.56
Association Dues and Expense 660.00 721.23
Miscellaneous 767.37 2.380.31
Computer Processing 19,984.99 20,311.54
Maintenance and Alterations 3,127.38 6,290.72
Office Materials and Supplies 6,718.26 5,793.67
Photo Film and Development 3,412.36
Rental Equipment 2,940.47
Education and Training 609.00
Aerial Photos 2,594.00
Total Expenses 105,300.00 $ 49,480.09 (55,819.91) 120,000.00 $ 74,326.46 (45,673.54)
6 EXHIBIT - B
(CON T I NUED)
•
EXHIBIT - B MONROE COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
PROPERTY APPRAISER
GENERAL (OPERATING) FUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
JANUARY I , 1974 TO SEPTEMBER 30 , 1975
Nine-month Period Ended 9-30-74 Fiscal Year Ended 9-30-75
Padget Actual Over (Under) Budget Actual Over (Under)
Budget Budget
Expenditures (Continued):
Operating Capital Outlay:
Equipment and Furniture $ $ 5.960.41 $ $ $ 9.957.37 $
Motor Vehicles 13,595.00
12,600.00
Total Operating Capital Outlay 25,000.00 $ 19,555.41 (5.444.59) 25.000.00 $ 22,557.37 (2.442.63)
Total Expenditures $388,494.00 $320.013.50 $(68,480.50) $525,407.00 $423.159.95 $(102.247.051
Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures $ - - $ 71,510.22 $ 71,510.22 $ - - $100,750.64 $ 100,750.64
See accompanying summary of significant accounting policies and notes to financial statements.
EXHIBIT - B ray
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MONROE COUNTY EXHIBIT - C
PROPERTY APPRAISER
GENERAL (OPERATING) FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FUND BALANCE
January 1, 1974 to September 30, 1975
1-1-74 Fiscal
to 9-30-74 Year
1974-75
Fund Balance, Beginning $ �5, '° ' $ 71,510.22
Add:
Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures 71,510.22 100,750.64
Total Balance and Additions $71,510.22 $172,260.86
Deduct:
Reversion of Excess of Revenues Over
Expenditures for the Nine-month Period
Ended September 30, 1974, to Taxing
Authorities 71,510.22
Fund Balance, Ending $71,510.22 $100,750.64
See accompanying summary of significant accounting policies and notes to
financial statements.
EXHIBIT - C
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EXHIBIT - D MONROE COUNTY
PROPERTY APPRAISER
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
For the Period April 1, 1974 to September 30, 1975
The significant accounting policies followed by the Monroe County
Property Appraiser are described below to enhance the usefulness of the
financial statements to the reader:
Basis of Accounting. The Property Appraiser's financial
records were maintained on the cash basis of accounting whereby
revenues are recognized only when cash is received and expendi-
tures are recognized when cash is disbursed. The accompanying
financial statements are presented on the cash basis of
accounting.
Property Appraiser's Compensation and Excess Income
Distribution. The Property Appraiser's office was on a budget
system. His salary is guaranteed as specified in Section 145.10,
Florida Statutes, and is appropriated as part of the budget. The
excess income was distributed to the governmental units in propor-
tion to that governmental unit's contribution to the Property
Appraiser's budget.
Tangible Personal Property. Acquisitions of tangible
personal property are recorded as expenditures in the General
(Operating) Fund at time of purchase. Such assets are reported
to and capitalized by the Board of County Commissioners and
consequently are not shown on the Property Appraiser's records.
Retirement Plans. The Property Appraiser and employees of
his office are members of one of the retirement plans administered
by the State of Florida, Department of Administration, Division of
Retirement. These plans require contributions by the office of the
Property Appraiser and the employees at a stated percentage of
compensation dependent upon the individual plan.
EXHIBIT - D
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MONROE COUNTY EXHIBIT - E
PROPERTY APPRAISER
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Period April 1, 1974 to September 30, 1975
1. Nine-month Fiscal Year
Period Ended Ended
9-30-74 9-30-75
Property Appraiser's Salary:
Statutory Compensation, Above $15,228.75 $22,221.00
Additional Personal Compensation
from Cities (Balance Due) :
Key West 22.30
Key Colony Beach 515.24
Total Compensation Earned $15,228.75 $22,758.54
EXHIBIT - E
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