HomeMy WebLinkAboutFiscal Year 2025 20 -
5
Monroe County, Florida
Tax Collector
Financial Statemeis and
Independent Auditor's
For the Year Ended September 30, 2025
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TAX COLLECTOR
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 8EPTEK8BER 30\2026
TABLE C]FCONTENTS
Independent Auditor's Report..................................................................................................................1'3
Financial Statements
Balance Sheet—General Fund...................................................................................................................4
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
Changes in Fund Balance—General Fund..............................................................................................5
Statement ofFiduciary Net Position—
CustodialFunds......................................................................................................................................6
Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position—
CustodialFunds......................................................................................................................................7
Notes to Financial Statements..............................................................................................................8'13
Required Supplementary Information (Unaudited)
Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures—
Budget to Actual—General Fund ......................................................................................................... 14
Supplementary Information
Combining Statement ofFiduciary Net Position—
CustodialFunds.................................................................................................................................... 15
Combining Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position—
CustodialFunds.................................................................................................................................... 16
Other Reports
Independent Auditor's Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters
Based onan Audit of Financial Statements Performed
in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards.....................................................................17'18
Independent Accountant's Report on Compliance with
Florida Statutes Sections Z18.415, Investments of Public Funds......................................................... 19
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements
Opinions
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the general 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, 2025, 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
respective financial position of the general fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Tax
Collector as of September 30, 2025, 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. 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 the Tax Collector 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 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(the Rules)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 the general fund and the aggregate remaining
fund information,only for that portion of the general fund,and the aggregate remaining fund information,
of Monroe County, Florida that is attributable to the Tax Collector. They do not purport to, and do not,
present fairly the financial position of Monroe County, Florida as of September 30, 2025, 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 opinion is 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.
CERTIFIECD PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
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1
To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions
or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Tax Collector's ability to
continue as a going concern for twelve months beyond the financial statement date, including any
currently known information that may raise substantial doubt shortly thereafter.
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.
■ Conclude whether, in our judgment,there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate,that
raise substantial doubt about the Tax Collector's ability to continue as a going concern for a
reasonable period of time.
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 budgetary
comparison schedule 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
2
To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
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
consistencywith management's responsesto our inquiries,thefinancial 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 the missing information.
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 accompanying combining statements, as listed in
the table of contents, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the
financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and
related 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 combining statements are 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 February 20,
2026, 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 GovernmentAuditing Standards in considering
the Tax Collector's internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
Purvis!
February 20, 2026
Sarasota, Florida
3
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
BALANCE SHEET
GENERAL FUND
SEPTEMBER 30,2025
ASSETS
Assets
Cash $ 7,689,900
Due from Other Governments 811
Total Assets 7,690,711
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE
Liabilities
Accounts Payable $ 27,584
Accrued Wages and Benefits Payable 129,701
Unearned Revenue 39,465
Due to Board of County Commissioners 6,924,723
Due to Other Governmental Units 569,238
Total Liabilities 7,690,711
Fund Balance -
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 7,690,711
See accompanying notes.
4
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCE
GENERAL FUND
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,2025
Revenues
Charges for Services $ 3,019,760
Intergovernmental-Board of
County Commissioners 10,642,604
Total Revenues 13,662,364
Expenditures
Current:
Personnel Services 5,090,116
Operating Expenditures 1,256,350
Debt Service:
Principal 132,201
Interest and Other Charges 14,129
Capital Outlay 2,403,596
Total Expenditures 8,896,392
Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures 4,765,972
Other Financing Sources(Uses)
Lease/SBITA Financing 2,158,751
Transfers to Board of County Commissioners (6,924,723)
Total Other Financing Sources(Uses) (4,765,972)
Net Change in Fund Balance -
Fund Balance,Beginning of Year -
Fund Balance,End of Year $ -
See accompanying notes.
5
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
CUSTODIAL FUNDS
SEPTEMBER 30,2025
Assets
Cash $ 10,801,129
Due from Individuals 269
Total Assets 10,801,398
Liabilities
Undistributed Collections 10,596,471
Due to Individuals 204,927
Total Liabilities 10,801,398
Net Position $ -
See accompanying notes.
6
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
CUSTODIAL FUNDS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,2025
Additions
Property Taxes and Fees Collected $ 530,230,306
Licenses and Tag Fees Collected 17,737,354
Total Additions 547,967,660
Deductions
Property Taxes and Fees Paid 530,230,306
Licenses and Tag Fees Paid 17,737,354
Total Deductions 547,967,660
Net Increase(Decrease)in Fiduciary Net Position -
Net Position,Beginning of Year -
Net Position,End of Year $ -
See accompanying notes.
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MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 -Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies
Financial Reporting Entity
The Monroe County, Florida (the County)Tax Collector (the Tax Collector) is a separately elected county
official established pursuant to Article Vill, 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 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 the County. The financial activities of the Tax Collector, as a constitutional officer, are
included in the County 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 30 days of the end of the current
fiscal period. Expenditures generally are recorded when a liability is incurred,asunder accrual accounting.
However, expenditures related to compensated absences, debt service including leases, pension and
other postemployment 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 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.
8
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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 to
determine net position.
Cash
The Tax Collector's cash consists of demand deposits and petty cash. All cash is insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation 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 1,2024 $ 358,532
Net Change 27,256
Balance,September 30,2025 S 385,788
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.
9
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
■ 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.
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 and other governmental agencies is reported as other
financing uses and charges with services, respectively.
Leases and Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements(SBITA)
The Tax Collector is a lessee for non-cancellable building leases. They also have SBITAs 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). At the commencement of a lease, the Tax Collector and the County initially
measure 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 determine:
(1) the rate used 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 the
estimated incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the leases.
■ The lease term includes the non-cancellable 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 are reasonably certain to exercise.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 Pronouncements
For the year ended September 30, 2025, the Tax Collector implemented GASB Statement Nos. 101,
Compensated Absences, and 102, Certain Risk Disclosures. GASB Statement No. 101 updates the
recognition and measurement guidance for compensated absences, achieved by aligning the recognition
and measurement under a unified model and by amending certain previously required disclosures. There
10
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
was no impact to the Tax Collector's financial statements as a result of the adoption of this statement.
GASB Statement No. 102 intends to improve financial reporting by providing users of the financial
statements with timely information regarding certain concentrations or constraints and related events
that have occurred or have begun to occur that make a government vulnerable to a substantial impact.
There was no impact to the Tax Collector's financial statements as a result of the adoption of this
statement.
The following are new accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective:
■ 6AS8 Statement No. 103,Financial Reporting Model Improvements
The 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. This statement also addresses certain application issues. The
requirements of this statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2025, and all
reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is permitted.
■ 6AS8 Statement No. 104,Disclosure of Certain Capital Assets
The objective of this statement is to provide users of governmental financial statements with essential
information about certain types of capital assets. This statement also requires additional disclosures
for certain types of capital assets. This statement also requires additional disclosures for certain
capital assets held for sale. A capital asset is held for sale if: (a)the government has decided to pursue
the sale of the capital assets, and (b) it is probable that the sale will be finalized within one year of the
financial statement date. Governments should consider relevant factors to evaluate likelihood of the
capital asset being sold within the established timeframe. The requirements of this statement are
effective for the fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2025.
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 February 20, 2026, in connection with the
preparation of these financial statements,which is the date the financial statements were available to be
issued.
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, 2025, the carrying amount of the Tax Collector's deposits was $18,477,929
($7,676,800 in the General Fund and $10,801,129 in the Custodial Funds) with a bank balance of
$17,761,093. In addition to cash deposits, the Tax Collector maintains cash on hand for the purpose of
making change on transactions and held $13,100 in cash on hand.
11
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3-Retirement Plans
The Tax Collector participates in the Florida Retirement System for pension benefits. A detailed plan
description and any liability for employees of the Tax Collector are included in the financial statements of
the County.
Note 4-Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions
The Tax Collector participates in the plan established by the Board to provide other postemployment
benefits to retirees of the Board of Constitutional Officers. A detailed plan description and any liability
for employees of the Tax Collector are included in the financial statements of the County.
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. The 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 and SBITA Commitments
The Tax Collector leases office space under cancelable 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 one SBITA for software used
in their operations that has been recognized in the current year in accordance with the provisions of GASB
Statement No. 96.
The Tax Collector had three lease agreements and one SBITA for the year ended September 30, 2025. The
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 net present value of these minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2025,were
as follows:
October 1, September 30,
2024 Additions Deductions 2025
Lease Liability $ 387,833 $ 132,405 $ (132,201) $ 388,037
SBITA Liability - 2,026,346 - 2,026,346
Total Lease
and SBITA Liability S 387,833 S 2,158,751 S (132,201) S 2,414,383
12
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fiscal Years Ending September 30, Principal Interest Total
2026 $ 511,568 $ 11,827 $ 523,395
2027 451,329 66,002 517,331
2028 488,930 49,949 538,879
2029 484,728 33,007 517,735
2030 477,828 1,842 479,670
Total S 2,414,383 S 162,627 S 2,577,010
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.
13
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
BUDGET AND ACTUAL
GENERAL FUND
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,2025
General Fund
Variance
Original Final With
Budget Budget Actual Final Budget
Revenues
Charges for Services $ 2,541,600 $ 2,541,600 $ 3,019,760 $ 478,160
Intergovernmental-
Board of County Commissioners 7,992,400 7,992,400 10,642,604 2,650,204
Total Revenues 10,534,000 10,534,000 13,662,364 3,128,364
Expenditures
General Government:
Personnel Services 5,882,643 5,597,772 5,090,116 507,656
Operating 1,645,929 1,645,929 1,256,350 389,579
Debt Service:
Principal - - 132,201 (132,201)
Interest and Other Charges - 14,129 (14,129)
Capital Outlay - 284,871 2,403,596 (2,118,725)
Total Expenditures 7,528,572 7,528,572 8,896,392 (1,367,820)
Excess of Revenues Over
Expenditures 3,005,428 3,005,428 4,765,972 1,760,544
Other Financing Sources(Uses)
Lease/SBITA Financing - - 2,158,751 2,158,751
Transfer to Board of
County Commissioners (3,005,428) (3,005,428) (6,924,723) (3,919,295)
Total Other Financing(Uses) (3,005,428) (3,005,428) (4,765,972) (1,760,544)
Net Change in Fund Balance
Fund Balances,Beginning of Year
Fund Balances,End of Year $ $ $ $
Note to Required Supplementary Information
Budgetary Requirements-General Fund expenditures are controlled by appropriations in accordance with the budget requirements set
forth in the Florida Statutes. The budget is prepared on the basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
For financial reporting purposes, in the fund financial statements,the transfer of excess fees to other governments outside the County
are reported net with Charges for Services above.
For the fiscal year ended September 30,2025, outflows exceeded budgeted appropriations in the General Fund by$1,367,820,which is
attributable to the technical application of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 96, Subscription-Based
Information Technology Arrangements (GASB 96). GASB 96 requires the full present value of a right-to-use asset to be recognized as a
capital outlay expenditure at the commencement of the subscription term. The budget was not adjusted to cover the initial recognition
of capital outlay. This budget overage was offset by$2,158,751 in proceeds from Lease/SBITA financing.
14
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
CUSTODIAL FUNDS DESCRIPTIONS
The purpose of each custodial fund in the combining statement of fiduciary net position and combining
statement of changes in fiduciary net position balances is 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.
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
COMBINING STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
CUSTODIAL FUNDS
SEPTEMBER 30,2025
Property Total
Tax Licenses Custodial
Assets
Cash $ 10,506,954 $ 294,175 $ 10,801,129
Due from Individuals 269 - 269
Total Assets 10,507,223 294,175 10,801,398
Liabilities
Undistributed Collections 10,302,296 294,175 10,596,471
Due to Individuals 204,927 - 204,927
Total Liabilities 10,507,223 294,175 10,801,398
Net Position $ - $ - $ -
15
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
TAX COLLECTOR
COMBINING STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
CUSTODIAL FUNDS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,2025
Property Total
Tax Licenses Custodial
Additions
Property Taxes and Fees Collected $ 530,230,306 $ - $ 530,230,306
Licenses and Tag Fees Collected - 17,737,354 17,737,354
Total Additions 530,230,306 17,737,354 547,967,660
Deductions
Property Taxes and Fees Paid 530,230,306 - 530,230,306
Licenses and Tag Fees Paid - 17,737,354 17,737,354
Total Deductions 530,230,306 17,737,354 547,967,660
Net Increase(Decrease)in Fiduciary Net Position - - -
Net Position,Beginning of Year - - -
Net Position,End of Year $ - $ - $ -
16
OTHER REPORTS
P U R V I s G 111 AY
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
To the 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, the financial statements of each 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, 2025, and the related notes to the financial statements,which
collectively comprise the Tax Collector's financial statements, and have issued our report thereon dated
February 20, 2026. Our report included an emphasis of matter paragraph to reflect that these financial
statements were prepared to comply with the Rules of the Auditor General of the State of Florida 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 opinion 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. Amaterial 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.
CERTIFIECD PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
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To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
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
Report on Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Tax Collector's financial statements are free
from material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws,
regulations,contracts and grant agreements, non-compliance 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 non-compliance 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 Tax Collector'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 Tax Collector's internal control and compliance.
Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose.
Purvis
February 20, 2026
Sarasota, Florida
18
U RV Is G 111 AY
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTES
SECTION 218.415, INVESTMENTS OF PUBLIC FUNDS
To the 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, during the fiscal
period ended September 30, 2025. Management of the Tax Collector is responsible for the Tax Collector's
compliance with those requirements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Tax Collector's
compliance with the specified requirements based on ourexamination.
Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 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 our judgment, including an
assessment of the risks of material non-compliance, whether due to fraud or error. We believe that the
evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable basis for ouropinion.
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 aforementioned requirements
of Section 218.415, Florida Statutes, during the year ended September 30, 2025.
This report 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, Florida, the Tax Collector, and applicable management, and is not
intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified parties.
February 20, 2026
Sarasota, Florida
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT"
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U R V I s G 111 AY
MANAGEMENT LETTER
To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the financial statements of the general fund and the aggregate remaining fund
information of the Monroe County, Florida Tax Collector (the Tax Collector) as of and for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2025, and have issued our report thereon dated February 20, 2026.
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 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 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 February 20, 2026, 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 findings or recommendations 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.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
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To the Honorable Sam C. Steele, CFC
Tax Collector of Monroe County, Florida
MANAGEMENT LETTER
Additional Matters
Section 10.554(1)(i)3., Rules of the Auditor General, requires us to communicate non-compliance with
provisions of contracts or grant agreements, or fraud, waste, or abuse, that have occurred, or is likely to
have occurred, that has an effect on the financial statements that is less than material but warrants the
attention of those charged with governance. In connection with our audit, we did not note 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, Florida, the Tax Collector, and applicable
management, and is not intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified
parties.
Purvis
February 20, 2026
Sarasota, Florida
21
P U RV I s G ��R AY
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