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Fiscal Year 2024 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Financial Statements, Required Supplementary Information and Other Reports As of and for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024 and Reports of Independent Auditor Contents Independent auditor's report 1-3 Financial statements Balance sheet—general fund 4 Statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances—general fund 5 Statement of fiduciary net position —custodial funds 6 Statement of changes in fiduciary net position—custodial funds 7 Notes to financial statements 8-16 Required supplementary information (unaudited) Schedule of revenues and expenditures— budget and actual—general fund 17 Note to required supplementary information 18 Supplementary information Custodial fund descriptions 19 Combining statement of fiduciary net position —custodial funds 20 Combining statement of changes in fiduciary net position —custodial funds 21 Other reports Report 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 22-23 Management letter in accordance with chapter 10.550, rules of the auditor general of the State of Florida 24-25 Independent accountant's report on compliance with local government investment policies 26 1,11'sim IRS111A US III..JII..J11P Independent Auditor's Report Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements Opinions We have audited the financial statements of the major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Monroe County, Florida, Tax Collector(Tax Collector), as of and for the year ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the Tax Collector's financial statements as listed in the table of contents. In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Tax Collector as of September 30, 2024, and the respective changes in financial position for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinions We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS) and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States (Government Auditing Standards). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of Monroe County, Florida, and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. Emphasis of Matter As discussed in Note 1, the accompanying financial statements of the Tax Collector were prepared for the purpose of complying with Section 218.39, Florida Statutes and Section 10.557(3), Rules of the Auditor General for Local Government Entity Audits. They do not purport to, and do not, present fairly, the financial position of Monroe County, Florida as of September 30, 2024, and the changes in its financial position for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our opinions are not modified with respect to this matter. Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. IIIIIIII ow IIIIIIII III'Z O III'° IIIIII IIIIIIII III 4 G IU 4 III': IIIIIIII IIIZ S"'"'O O ASS VJIIZW III AX CD SVJ 1 k"M 0',1 1 P vHill0`amemlIqtoIIII,fk"MIII(IqIIA!(IIAII Is�lihkilIIliwirkofaIrka(�IulenkI 'IIIII +X'gIll ony Ili ar�(urns, V'I51(I`,I11i v, I11/,Ih(I I III"i n I 111 11I'II11oI I"n,I(I(1)I I'",31:11I Ifs 1t`aM I I"I I I III I!I I II Ik l l iIiOnl I ........ ......... ..... ,,,,, ,,,,, ..... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ....,. Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and, therefore, is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements. In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards, we • Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. • Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Tax Collector's internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit. Required Supplementary Information Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the budgetary comparison schedule and related note be presented to supplement the financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and, 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 GAAS, 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. Management has omitted the management's discussion and analysis that accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require to be presented to supplement the financial statements. Such missing 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. Our opinions on the financial statements are not affected by this missing information. 2 Supplementary Information Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the Tax Collector's financial statements. The 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. Such 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. The 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 March 28, 2025, on our consideration of the Tax Collector's internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely 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 effectiveness of the Tax Collector's 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 Tax Collector's internal control over financial reporting and compliance. Fort Lauderdale, Florida March 28, 2025 3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Balance Sheet General Fund September 30, 2024 Assets Cash $ 7,392,193 Due from other governments 1,026 Total assets $ 7,393,219 Liabilities and Fund Balance Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 255,435 Accrued wages and benefits payable 105,754 Due to Board of County Commissioners 6,523,728 Due to other governmental units 508,302 Total liabilities 7,393,219 Fund balance - Total liabilities and fund balance $ 7,393,219 The accompanying notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. 4 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances—General Fund Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024 Revenues: Charges for services $ 3,374,496 Intergovernmental—Board of County Commissioners 10,061,938 Total revenues 13,436,434 Expenditures: Current: Personnel services 4,832,581 Operating expenditures 1,612,048 Debt service: Principal 439,653 Interest and other charges 24,655 Capital outlay 348,258 Total expenditures 7,257,195 Excess of revenues over expenditures 6,179,239 Other financing sources (uses): Transfers to Board of County Commissioners (6,523,728) Lease financing as lessee 344,489 Total other financing sources (uses) (6,179,239) Net change in fund balance - Fund balance, beginning of year - Fund balance, end of year $ - The accompanying notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. 5 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Statement of Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds September 30,2024 Assets Cash $ 10,062,639 Due from individuals 1,156 Total assets $ 10,063,795 Liabilities Undistributed collections $ 9,876,536 Due to individuals 187,259 Total liabilities $ 10,063,795 Net position - Total net position $ - The accompanying notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. 6 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024 Additions: Property taxes and fees collected $ 502,772,876 Licenses and tag fees collected 18,447,933 Total additions $ 521,220,809 Deductions: Property taxes and fees paid $ 502,772,876 Licenses and tag fees paid 18,447,933 Total deductions 521,220,809 Net change in fiduciary net position - Net position, beginning of year Net position, end of year $ - The accompanying notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. 7 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies Financial Reporting Entity—The Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector(the Tax Collector) is a separately elected county official established pursuant to Article VIII, Section 1(d)of the Constitution of the State of Florida. These financial statements present only the Tax Collector's Office and 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 Tax Collector have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles and reporting guidelines established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Entity status for financial reporting purposes is governed by GASB Statement No. 14, as amended. Although the Tax Collector's Office is operationally autonomous from the County, 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 Tax Collector is reported as a part of the primary government of Monroe County, Florida. The financial activities of the Tax Collector, as a constitutional officer, are included in the Monroe County, Florida Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Description of Funds—The accounting records are organized for reporting purposes on the basis of a governmental fund and fiduciary funds. General Fund—The General Fund is used to account for all revenues and expenditures applicable to the general operations of the Tax Collector that are not required legally or by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP)to be accounted for in another fund. Fiduciary Funds— Fiduciary funds of the Tax Collector are Custodial Funds, which are used to account for assets held by the Tax Collector in a custodial capacity. Measurement Focus, Basis of Accounting, and Financial Statement Presentation—The Tax Collector's financial statements are prepared for the purpose of complying with Florida Statute Section 218.39(2) and Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Auditor General, which requires the Tax Collector to only present special- purpose fund financial statements. The General Fund is presented as a major governmental fund and uses 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 Tax Collector considers revenues to be available if they are collected within 60 days of the end of the current fiscal period. Expenditures generally are recorded when a liability is incurred, as under accrual accounting. However, expenditures related to compensated absences debt service including leases, pension and other post-employment benefits and claims and judgments are recorded only when payment is due. The extent to which General Fund revenues exceed General Fund expenditures is reflected as transfers out and as liabilities due to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (the Board)and other governmental agencies in the same proportion as fees paid by each governmental unit to total fees earned by the Tax Collector. The Tax Collector reports the General Fund as a major governmental fund and Custodial Funds as a fiduciary fund type. The fiduciary funds use a flow of economic resources measurement focus and accrual basis of accounting to determine net position. 8 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) Cash—The Tax Collector's cash consists of demand deposits and petty cash. All cash is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 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. Capital Assets—Tangible personal property used in the Tax Collector's operations are recorded as expenditures in the General Fund 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 used by the Tax Collector at no charge. Compensated Absences—The Tax Collector permits employees to accumulate earned but unused vacation and sick pay benefits. The Tax Collector is not legally required to and does not accumulate expendable available financial resources to liquidate this obligation. The obligation is accrued in the government-wide financial statements of the County. A summary of activity for the Tax Collector's compensated absences obligation is as follows: Balance, October 1, 2023 $ 359,280 Additions 422,668 Reductions (423,416) Balance, September 30, 2024 $ 358,532 Fund Balance Presentation— In accordance with GASB Statement No. 54, the fund balances of the governmental funds indicate the level of constraints placed upon how resources can be spent and identify the sources of those constraints. 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 creditors, grantors, contributors or the laws or regulations of other governments. This consists of the following five classifications: non-spendable, restricted, committed, assigned or unassigned. The Tax Collector first uses restricted resources, and then committed, followed by assigned and unassigned resources. Non-Spendable Fund Balance— Includes amounts that cannot be spent because they are either not in spendable form, or for legal or contractual reasons, must be kept intact. This classification typically includes inventory and prepaid items. Spendable Fund Balance— Restricted— Includes amounts that are constrained for specific purposes which are externally imposed by providers (such as grantors or creditors)or enabling legislation. Committed— Includes amounts that are constrained for specific purposes that are internally imposed by the highest level of decision-making authority, which in this case is the Tax Collector. Assigned— Includes amounts that are intended to be used for specific purposes that are not restricted or committed. Assignments can be made at the direction of the Tax Collector. Unassigned—Represents fund balance that has not been assigned to other funds, and that has not been restricted, committed or assigned to specific purposes within the General Fund. 9 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) Distribution of Excess Revenues— Florida Statutes provide that the excess of Tax Collector's fee revenues over expenditures is to be distributed to each governmental agency in the same proportion as the fees paid by the government agency bear to total fee income received by the Tax Collector. The amount of undistributed excess fees at the end of the fiscal year is reported as amounts due to the Board and other governmental agencies; the transfer of total excess fees to the Board is reported as other financing uses. Leases and Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITA)—The Tax Collector is a lessee for noncancellable building and equipment leases. They also have SBITA for certain key software programs needed to perform their operations. At the government-wide level, in the governmental activities opinion unit, the County recognizes a lease liability and an intangible right-to-use lease asset (lease asset)only if annual payments are $50,000 or more.At the commencement of a lease, the Tax Collector and the County initially measures the lease liability at the present value of payments expected to be made during the lease term. Subsequently, the lease asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life. At the fund level, the Tax Collector recognizes an expenditure and other financing source in the period the lease is initially recognized. Annually, lease payments are recorded as principal and interest payments when made. Key estimates and judgments related to leases include how the Tax Collector and County determines: (1) the discount rate it uses to discount the expected lease payment to present value, (2) lease term, and (3) lease payments. • The Tax Collector and County use the interest rate charged by the lessor as the discount rate. When the interest rate charged by the lessor is not provided, the Tax Collector and County generally use its estimated incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the leases. • The lease term includes the noncancellable period of the lease. Lease payments include the measurement of the lease liability and are composed of the fixed payments and purchase option price that the Tax Collector and County is reasonably certain to exercise. Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenditures during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from estimates. New Accounting Pronouncement— Effective for the year ending September 30, 2024, the Tax Collector adopted GASB Statement No. 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—An Amendment of GASB Statement No. 62, which enhances accounting and financial reporting requirements for accounting changes and error corrections to provide more understandable, reliable, relevant, consistent and comparable information for making decisions or assessing accountability. The implementation of this Statement had no impact on the Tax Collector's financial statements. 10 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) The following are new accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective: GASB Statement No. 101, Compensated Absences. The objective of this Statement is to better meet the information needs of financial statement users by updating the recognition and measurement guidance for compensated absences. That objective is achieved by aligning the recognition and measurement guidance under a unified model and by amending certain previously required disclosures. Effective Date: The requirements of this Statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and all reporting periods thereafter. GASB Statement No. 102, Credit Risk Disclosures. The State and local governments face a variety of risks that could negatively affect the level of service they provide or their ability to meet obligations as they come due. Although governments are required to disclose information about their exposure to some of those risks, essential information about other risks that are prevalent among state and local governments is not routinely disclosed because it is not explicitly required. The objective of this Statement is to provide users of government financial statements with essential information about risks related to a government's vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations or constraints. This Statement defines a concentration as a lack of diversity related to an aspect of a significant inflow of resources or outflow of resources. A constraint is a limitation imposed on a government by an external party or by formal action of the government's highest level of decision-making authority. Concentrations and constraints may limit a government's ability to acquire resources or control spending. Effective Date: The requirements of this Statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2024, and all reporting periods thereafter. GASB Statement No. 103, Financial Reporting Model Improvements. This objective of this Statement is to improve key components of the financial reporting model to enhance its effectiveness in providing information that is essential for decision making and assessing a government's accountability. Effective Date: The requirements of this Statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2025, and all reporting periods thereafter. GASB Statement No. 104, Disclosure of Certain Capital Assets. The objective of this Statement provides disclosure requirements for certain types of capital assets. This Statement also establishes criteria for governments to evaluate whether capital assets are capital assets held for sale. The requirements of this Statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2025, and all reporting periods thereafter. Management is in the process of determining what impact, if any, implementation of the above statements may have on the financial statements of the Tax Collector. Subsequent Events—The Tax Collector has evaluated subsequent events through March 28, 2025, in connection with the preparation of these financial statements, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued. 11 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 2. Deposits and Investments The Tax Collector 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. As of September 30, 2024, the Tax Collector has demand deposits with a carrying amount of $17,454,832, a bank balance of$16,716,330, and petty cash funds of$13,100. Note 3. Retirement System Plan Description: The Tax Collector'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 Pension Plan, which is administered by the State Board of Administration. 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. 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$7.50 for each year of creditable service, with a minimum payment of$45 and a maximum payment of$225 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. 12 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 3. Retirement System (Continued) 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 an 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. 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 0.06% of payroll and by forfeited benefits of plan members. The Tax Collector recognizes pension expenditures in an amount equal to amounts paid to the Pension Plan, the defined contribution plan, and the HIS Plan, amounting to $421,988, $263,108 and $75,268 respectively, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. The Tax Collector's payments for the Pension Plan and the HIS Plan after June 30, 2024, the measurement date used to determine the net pension liability associated with the Pension Plan and HIS Plan, amounted to $156,606 and $20,026, respectively. The Tax Collector 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 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions—an amendment of GASB Statement 27, and GASB Statement 71, Pension Transition for Contributions Made Subsequent to the Measurement Date—an amendment of GASB Statement 68. Funding Policy: All enrolled members of the 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, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, respectively, were as follows: regular— 13.57% and 13.63%; county elected officers—58.68% and 58.68%; senior management—34.52% and 34.52%; and DROP participants—21.13% and 21.13%. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Tax Collector contributed to the plan an amount equal to 16.08% of covered payroll which totaled approximately$3,763,376. 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. 13 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 4. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Plan In addition to the pension benefits described in Note 3, the Tax Collector offers to its employees a single employer defined benefit healthcare plan, which is administered by the Board. Florida Statute 112.0801 requires the County to provide retirees and their eligible dependents with the option to participate in the OPEB plan if the County provides health insurance to its active employees and their eligible dependents. The OPEB plan provides medical coverage, prescription drug benefits and life insurance to both active and eligible retired employees. The OPEB plan does not issue a publicly available financial report. No assets are accumulated in a trust that meets the criteria as set forth in GASB Statement 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Post-Employment Benefits Other Than Pensions. The Board may amend the OPEB plan design, with changes to the benefits, premiums and/or levels of participant contribution at any time. On at least an annual basis, in an open session, and prior to the annual enrollment process, the Board approves the rates for the coming calendar year for the retiree and County contributions. Eligibility for postemployment participation in the OPEB Plan is limited to full-time employees of the County, and the Constitutional Officers. An employee who retires as an active participant in the OPEB Plan and was hired on or after October 1, 2001, may continue to participate in the OPEB Plan by paying the monthly premium established annually by the Board. An employee who retires as an active participant in the plan, was hired prior to October 1, 2001, has at least ten years of full-time service with the County, and meets the retirement criteria of the FRS but is not eligible for Medicare, may maintain group health insurance benefits with the County following retirement, provided that the retiring employee pays the retiree contributions based on their years of service with the County. Pre-Medicare retirees with at least 25 years of service who satisfy the rule of 70 pay the FRS subsidy for coverage, which is $7.50 per year of service month with a maximum of$250 per month. For those with 20-24 years of service, the retirees will pay 25% of the actuarial rate, and for those with 10- 19 years of service the retirees will pay 50% of the actuarial rate. 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 based on the preceding table. Surviving spouses and dependents of participating retirees may continue in the plan if eligibility criteria specific to those classes are met. An employee who retires as an active participant in the plan, was hired prior to October 1, 2001, has at least 10 years of full-time service with the County, and meets the retirement criteria of the FRS and is eligible for Medicare at the time of retirement or becomes eligible for Medicare following retirement, may maintain group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following retirement, provided the retiring employee contributes the Actuarial Rate for Medicare retirees as determined by the actuarial firm engaged by the County, less a $250 per month County subsidy. Alternatively, retirees meeting these criteria may elect to leave the County health plan and receive a $250 per month payment from the County, payable for the lifetime of the retiree. 14 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 4. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Plan (Continued) The Board engages an actuarial firm on a biannual basis to determine the County's total OPEB liability. The Tax Collector has no responsibility to the OPEB plan other than to make the periodic payments determined by the Board, which are presented as expenditures when made and amounted to $52,668 for the year ended September 30, 2024. Further information about the OPEB plan is available in the County's ACFR which is published on the Clerk's website at www.clerk-of-the-court.com. Note 5. Risk Management The Tax Collector 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 Tax Collector participates in the coverage provided by the Board for Workers' Compensation, Group Insurance and Risk Management internal service funds. Under these programs, the 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 cost of the buildings 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 Tax Collector 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 6. Lease & SBITA Commitments The Tax Collector leases office space and equipment under noncancelable arrangements that qualify as other than short-term leases under GASB Statement No. 87 and, therefore, have been recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments as of the date of their inception. They also have two SBITA for software used in their operations that have been recognized in accordance with GASB 96. The Tax Collector has three lease agreements for office space reported in the County's governmental activities opinion unit for the year ended September 30, 2024. The lease liability noted below is reported in the County's government-wide governmental activities opinion unit and is not reported on the Tax Collector's fund level financial statements. The future minimum lease obligations and the remaining net present value of these minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2024, were as follows: Balance Balance 10/1/2023 Additions Deductions 09/30/2024 Lease liability $ 179,778 $ 344,489 $ (136,434) $ 387,833 SBITA liability 303,219 - (303,219) - Total Lease & SBITA Liability 482,997 344,489 (439,653) 387,833 15 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Notes to the Financial Statements Note 6. Lease & SBITA Commitments (Continued) Principal Interest Total Fiscal years ending September 30: 2025 $ 120,465 $ 12,263 $ 132,728 2026 93,815 7,785 101,600 2027 70,045 4,955 75,000 2028 72,529 2,471 75,000 2029 30,979 272 31,251 Totals $ 387,833 $ 27,746 $ 415,579 Note 7. Litigation The Tax Collector 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 Tax Collector's financial position. 16 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Unaudited) Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Required Supplementary Information (Unaudited) Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures Budget and Actual—General Fund Fiscal Year Ended September 30,2024 General Fund Original Final Variance with Budget Budget Actual Final Budget Revenues: Charges for services $ 2,333,200 $ 2,333,200 $ 3,374,496 $ 1,041,296 Intergovernmental—Board of County Commissioners 6,744,300 6,744,300 10,061,938 3,317,638 Total revenues 9,077,500 9,077,500 13,436,434 4,358,934 Expenditures: General government: Personnel services 5,287,665 5,040,799 4,832,581 208,218 Operating 1,448,710 1,889,679 1,103,746 785,933 Debt service: Principal - - 439,653 (439,653) Interest and other charges - - 24,655 (24,655) Capital outlay - - 348,258 (348,258) Total expenditures 6,736,375 6,930,478 6,748,893 181,585 Excess of revenues over expenditures 2,341,125 2,147,022 6,687,541 4,540,519 Other financing sources(uses): Transfer to Board of County Commissioners (2,341,125) (2,147,022) (6,523,728) (4,376,706) Transfer to other government units - - (508,302) (508,302) Lease financing as leasee - - 344,489 344,489 Total other financing sources(uses) (2,341,125) (2,147,022) (6,687,541) (4,540,519) Net change in fund balance $ - $ - $ - $ - 17 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Note to Required Supplementary Information Budgetary Requirements—General Fund expenditures are controlled by budget appropriations in accordance with the budget requirements set forth in the Florida Statutes. The budget is prepared on a basis consistent with U.S. GAAP. For financial reporting purposes in the fund financial statements the transfer of excess fees to other governments outside the County is reported as an operating expenditure and in the budget to actual schedule they are reported as transfers to other government units for budget purposes since they are not a budgeted item. 18 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Supplementary Information Custodial Fund Descriptions The Combining Statement of Fiduciary Net Position—Combining Statement of Fiduciary Net Position— Custodial Funds and Combining Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position—Custodial Funds are presented on the following pages. The purpose of each fund shown on these statements are described below. Property Tax Fund—To account for the collection and distribution of local property tax funds. Licenses Fund—To account for the collection and distribution of funds generated from the sale of miscellaneous state licenses. 19 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Supplementary Information Combining Statement of Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds September 30,2024 Property Tax Licenses Total Assets Cash $ 9,793,337 $ 269,302 $ 10,062,639 Due from individuals 1,156 - 1,156 Total assets $ 9,794,493 $ 269,302 $ 10,063,795 Liabilities Undistributed collections $ 9,607,234 $ 269,302 $ 9,876,536 Due to individuals 187,259 - 187,259 Total liabilities $ 9,794,493 $ 269,302 $ 10,063,795 Net position - - - Total net position $ - $ - $ - 20 Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector Supplementary Information Combining Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024 Property Tax Licenses Total Additions: Property taxes and fees collected $ 502,772,876 $ - $ 502,772,876 Licenses and tag fees collected - 18,447,933 18,447,933 Total additions $ 502,772,876 $ 18,447,933 $ 521,220,809 Deductions: Property taxes and fees paid $ 502,772,876 $ - $ 502,772,876 Licenses and tag fees paid - 18,447,933 18,447,933 Total deductions 502,772,876 18,447,933 521,220,809 Net change in fiduciary net position - - - Net position, beginning of year - -Net position, end of year $ - $ - $ - 21 OTHER REPORTS 1,11'sim IRS111A US III..JII..J11P Report 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 Independent Auditor's Report Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida We have audited, in accordance with the 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 (Government Auditing Standards), the financial statements of the major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Monroe County, Florida, Tax Collector(the Tax Collector) as of and for the year ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the Tax Collector's financial statements, and have issued our report thereon dated March 28, 2025. Our report included an emphasis of matter paragraph to reflect that these financial statements were prepared to comply with Section 218.39, Florida Statutes and Section 10.557(3), Rules of the Florida Auditor General for Local Governmental Entity Audits and are intended to present the financial position and the changes in financial position of the Tax Collector and do not represent a complete presentation of the financial statements of Monroe County, Florida. Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the Tax Collector's internal control over financial reporting (internal control) as a basis for designing 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 Tax Collector's internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Tax Collector'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 entity'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 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 or significant deficiencies may exist that were not identified. IIIIIIII ow IIIIIIII III'Z O III'° IIIIII IIIIIIII III 4 G III4 III': IIIIIIII IIIZ S"'"'O O ASS VJIIrAI III i..AX C0NSVJ NG 22 k"M0',111IvHill0`amemlIqtoIII('Ik"MII)(IqIIA!(IIAII Is�lihkilIIliwirkofaIrka(�IulenkI 'IIIII +X'gIll ony Ili ar�(urns, V'I51(I`,I11i v, I11/,Ih(I I III"i n I 111 11I'II11oI I"n,I(I(1)I I'",31:11I Ifs 1t`aM I I"I I I III I!I I II Ik l l iIiOnl I ........ ......... ..... ,,,,, ,,,,, ..... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ....,. Report on Compliance and Other Matters As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Tax Collector's financial statements are free of 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 financial statements. 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. 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 entity'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 entity's internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose. Fort Lauderdale, Florida March 28, 2025 23 1,11'sim IRS111A US III..JII..J11P Management Letter in Accordance with Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Auditor General of the State of Florida Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the financial statements of the Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector (the Tax Collector), as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, and have issued our report thereon dated March 28, 2025, which was prepared to comply with State of Florida reporting requirements. 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 Reporting Requirements We have issued our Independent Auditor's Report 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 our Independent Accountant's Report on an examination conducted in accordance with AICPA Professional Standards, AT-C Section 315, regarding compliance requirements in accordance with Chapter 10.550, Rules of the Auditor General. Disclosures in those reports, which are dated March 28, 2025, should be considered in conjunction with this management letter. Prior Audit Findings Section 10.554(1)(i)l., 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. No findings or recommendations were made in the preceding annual financial 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 the management letter, unless disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The legal authority is disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements. Financial Management Section 10.554(1)(i)2., Rules of the Auditor General, requires that we communicate any recommendations to improve financial management. In connection with our audit, we did not have any such recommendations. IIIIIIII ow IIIIIIII III'Z O III'° IIIIII IIIIIIII III 4 G I II4 III': IIIIIIII IIIZ S"'"'O O ASS VJIIZW III i..AX 0I�SVJ 24 k"M0',111 ivHi��0`ameml gtoiii('Ik"MIi)((qniA!(iiA �s�lihkiliwiwirkofairkan�iulen( f 'iu�I +X'gIll ony Ili ar�(urns, V'IS I(1,;li n v, rn/,fhnII inrmn(�in to rrn,f(I(n 1���',3 rr 1111 It`aIV111"I II l I I iiia I 1, ........ ......... ..... ,,,,, ,,,,, ..... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ....,. Additional Matters Section 10.554(1)(i)3., Rules of the Auditor General, requires us to communicate 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 Our management letter is intended solely for the information and use of the Legislative Auditing Committee, members of the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Auditor General, Federal and other granting agencies, Monroe County, the Tax Collector, and applicable management, and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties. Fort Lauderdale, Florida March 28, 2025 25 1,11'sim IRS111W US III..JII..J11P Independent Accountant's Report on Compliance with Local Government Investment Policies Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida We have examined the Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector's (the Tax Collector) compliance with the local government investment policy requirements of Section 218.415, Florida Statutes (the specified requirements), during the period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. Management of the Tax Collector is responsible for the Tax Collector's compliance with the specified requirements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Tax Collector's compliance with the specified requirements based on our examination. Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the AICPA. Those standards require that we plan and perform the examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Tax Collector complied, in all material respects, with the specified requirements referenced above. An examination involves performing procedures to obtain evidence about whether the Tax Collector complied with the specified requirements. The nature, timing and extent of the procedures selected depend on ourjudgment, including an assessment of the risks of material noncompliance, whether due to fraud or error. We believe that the evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We are required to be independent and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with relevant ethical requirements relating to the engagement. Our examination does not provide a legal determination of the Tax Collector's compliance with the specified requirements. In our opinion, the Tax Collector complied, in all material respects, with the local government investment policy requirements of Section 218.415, Florida Statutes, during the period October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. This report is intended solely for the information and use of the Florida Auditor General, the Tax Collector's office, and applicable management and is not intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified parties. 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