Special to East Lee News
With all the recent press regarding the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget, audit, and related topics. There are more questions than answers.
Recent events have rekindled questions regarding Sheriff Carmine Marceno’s ethics, decisions, budget expenses, and budget requests. Recent meetings and communication from Kevin Karnes have discussed the complexities of a related audit. Some Lee County Commissioners have recently begun making suggestions to change the way the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is funded by suggesting an alternative approach, the MSTU (Municipal Services Taxing Unit) as opposed to the current mechanism (Lee County General Fund).
What normally happens? Consistent with Florida State Statutes, the Lee County BOCCreviews and approves the Sheriff’s Office budget request. When conflicts arise, there is a process governed by law to allow differences to be remedied. This process is contained within Florida Statutes 30.49.
What is being proposed? Moving to an MSTU Taxing Unit to fund the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. There are multiple counties in Florida utilizing this approach, Citrus County is currently considering this approach. Their pursuit of this change stems from issues related to spending, transparency, and communication breakdowns.
What are the real questions? Funding the Sheriff’s Office through an MSTU approach may be a better solution for our growing county. But that isn’t necessarily the issue at hand. The politician’s sleight of hand is at play here, and the taxpayers should not consider this entertainment.
The issue is governmental oversight, representing the interests of the taxpayers, and performing the duties of an elected official.
In August 2023, members of the local legislative delegation called for an audit of disaster funds spent for Hurricane Ian. This would have included auditing funds dispersed to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Our local elected commissioners did not take up the rallying cry for transparency or accountability. In fact, there was a lot of push back on the approach.
Our commissioners are elected to serve the public.
When the only consistent voices for accountability, transparency, and oversight come from local state representatives we have deeper problems.
Make sure we are asking and focusing on the right questions.
