Manatee Clerk Receives Highest Award for Financial Reporting - Again!

R.B. "Chips" Shore Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

BRADENTON – For the 32nd consecutive year, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, R.B. "Chips" Shore, has been awarded the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The honor is a reflection on the county’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), last fiscal year. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its bestowal represents a quite an accomplishment.

”As pleasing as it is to be recognized by the GFOA for our reporting, it is doubly gratifying this year, after the S&P debacle, to be able to give the members of our community a document that fully discloses the financial decisions and operations of our local government and to do so with complete transparency," said Shore. "As elected officials, it is our responsibility to manage public funds with the highest integrity.“

Shore, who was first elected to the post in 1976 and had previously served as the City of Bradenton's clerk and treasurer, has long been regarded by local government officials as a man of honor and integrity -- and a stickler for the rules. In an age of routine scandal, Manatee County citizens have been able to count on all T's being crossed and I's being dotted before local government payments are issued through the comptroller's office.

This report is available by calling the Clerk’s office at 941-749-1800 ext. 6102, on the Internet on the Finance page of the Clerk’s web site, http://www.manateeclerk.com/Portals/0/docs/Finance/Reports/CAFR/CAFR_2010_web.pdf or at the Clerk’s office located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton.