Annual Report of the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Karen E. Rushing Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller - Sarasota, FL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES INVESTMENT SERVICES How can I request a copy of a Board financial record? An electronic request for a Board financial record can simply be emailed to PublicRecords@ SarasotaClerkandComptroller.com, or a requestor can contact the Finance Department at 941-861-5867. Why does the Comptroller invest Sarasota County’s surplus funds? As custodian of county funds, pursuant to Sarasota County Ordinance 2018.045 and State Statute Ch 218.415, the Comptroller invests surplus public funds to produce the best and safest possible returns, ensuring that tax dollars are protected, ultimately reducing the burden of taxpayers. An investment professional proactively manages the county portfolio, and is also responsible for managing banking relationships and cash flow forecasting process. Where can I find the county’s investment reports? The Sarasota County Investment policy governs investments and provides guidelines for risk management and reporting requirements. The policy can be found at SarasotaClerk.com, along with the monthly investment report containing information regarding the portfolio composition, portfolio statistics and yield comparison. It is intended to provide the reader with a high-level summary of the investment strategy and portfolio performance. What is debt administration? From time to time, Sarasota County will borrow money to pay for the construction, replacement, expansion or acquisition of a major facility. This allows the county to repay the debt over the life of the assets and its use. A majority of the county’s debt is in the form of bonds issued, however the county also issues commercial paper and bank term loans for debt expected to be paid down during a shorter timeframe. The Clerk and Comptroller actively participates in the issuance and monitoring of the county’s debt. Where can I find the county’s financial reports? Electronic copies of Sarasota County’s monthly and annual financial reports are available on the Clerk and Comptroller’s website, SarasotaClerk.com. If you would like a printed copy of the reports, stop by either of our offices (Sarasota or Venice). Where can I find information regarding a county bond issue? The Comptroller provides “one-stop shopping” through Digital Assurance Certification for all information related to a given county bond. Simply visit DACbond.com and search for bond issues of Sarasota County.