John Bodner

The Lee County Clerk and Comptroller’s office proposed $787,175 in taxpayer savings for fiscal year 2025-26, the first budget decrease in more than a decade. Clerk Kevin Karnes credits the reduction to a new Chief of Government Efficiency role, created in February to identify cost-cutting opportunities. Led by John Bodner, the initiative involves dual line-item budget reviews, resulting in a 4.7% budget drop from last year. Karnes said the effort reflects his goal of being “1% better than yesterday” and his commitment to good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The proposed budget will go before the Lee County Board of Commissioners Oct. 1.