Manatee County presents clean FY2024 audit, but commissioners press for clearer debt and budget planning

Manatee County released its audited fiscal-year 2024 financial results on April 2, and county officials reported an unmodified audit opinion, roughly $2 billion in county investments and rising net position while flagging growth in total debt and capital commitments.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and county finance staff presented the annual comprehensive financial report and supporting budget updates at the Board of County Commissioners’ work session. Angel Coloniso, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Neil Unruh, Director of Finance in the Clerk’s Office, told commissioners the independent audit by Carr, Riggs & Ingram produced “unmodified opinions and no material weaknesses to report for this year.” Unruh also reported roughly $2,000,000,000 in invested assets and about $102,900,000 in investment earnings for FY2024.

Why it matters: commissioners must set millage, prioritize capital projects and decide whether to dedicate rising revenues to specific long-term needs such as stormwater and housing. Finance staff said the county’s reserves and liquidity remain strong, but that total debt has more than doubled since 2019 and needs active monitoring to protect bond ratings and future operating flexibility.

At the top level, Chief Financial Officer Sheila McLean said the county’s total net position rose by about $460,000,000 — a 13.6% increase — with governmental net position up roughly $249,000,000. McLean said audited…