BRADENTON, Fla. — The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller recently earned a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the county’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and its Manatee County Port Authority comprehensive annual financial report and an Award for Outstanding Achievement for the office’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This marks the 40th consecutive year the Manatee County Clerk of Court has attained the award for its CAFR, the 26th uninterrupted year for the Manatee County Port Authority achievement and the 21st straight year for the office’s PAFR acknowledgment.
“Our team is very proud to receive these prestigious national awards that recognize conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government reports,” said Angel Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Every resident can access and use these reports online at any time. They are a central and critical part of how we provide transparency on the county’s investments and its financial performance to our taxpayers in Manatee County.”
Published annually, the CAFR provides a detailed view into the financial results and position of Manatee County. The PAFR is a condensed and simplified report of the detailed information provided in the CAFR. Its primary purpose is to provide the citizens of Manatee County with an understandable outline of the county’s financial performance.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve.
About the Manatee County Clerk of the Court
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller as a public trustee, independently elected to protect public funds and public records while executing the functions of Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Comptroller, Treasurer and Auditor, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners and County Recorder. Located at 1115 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, the Clerk oversees a staff of more than 275 people, responsible for performing nearly 1,000 constitutional or statutory functions or duties, representing the broadest and most diverse mantle of responsibility of any locally elected official. The citizens of Manatee County elect the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller to a four-year term. Currently, Angelina M. Colonneso serves as the Clerk of the Court. For more information, call 941-749-1800 or visit www.ManateeClerk.com.