Auditors issue clean opinion on Collier County's FY2025 financial report; board accepts ACFR

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners accepted the county's FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and received a presentation from the external auditors, who issued unmodified (clean) opinions on the financial statements and the single audit.

Derek Johnson of the clerk's office introduced the report and thanked county departments and constitutional officers for their cooperation. An auditor representative from CliftonLarsonAllen told commissioners the audit found no findings, no material weaknesses and no significant deficiencies. The auditors noted an'emphasis of matter'related to the implementation of a new accounting standard affecting compensated absences (vacation, PTO and sick leave).

The auditors said governmental net position increased by approximately $197,000,000 year over year and business-type activities (utilities, waste) had an increase in net position of about $114,000,000. They also said the prior-year compensated-absences liability in governmental activities was restated upward by roughly $25,000,000 to about $68,700,000, producing an ending balance near $71,000,000 for FY2025; auditors stressed this is an accounting presentation rather than a cash outflow.

Commissioner Bert Saunders moved to accept the report; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Next steps: the county will file the ACFR and required state reporting documents; auditors and clerk's office staff will remain available for follow-up questions and communications.