About the Department of Inspector General
Established by charter of the Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, the mission of the Department of Inspector General (IG) is to promote accountability and integrity in government and preserve the public trust by providing independent and objective audits, investigations, and consultations designed to add value and improve the Bay County Board of County Commissioners and Clerk of Court & Comptroller’s operations.
The Clerk of the Court & Comptroller of Bay County, an elected official, derives authority and responsibilities from constitutional and statutory provisions. The Clerk of Court & Comptroller established the Department of Inspector General to fulfill the audit and investigative responsibilities of the agency. To provide for the highest degree of independence, staff report to the Inspector General, who reports functionally and administratively to the Clerk of Court & Comptroller, who is independent of the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager. The Department has no direct responsibility or authority over any area subject to its audits and investigations and is organizationally independent from departments within the Clerk’s office.
The Department of Inspector General does not have the authority to audit or investigate the following entities or individuals in Bay County:
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14th Judicial Circuit
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State Attorney’s Office
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Private attorneys
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Bay County’s Sheriff
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Bay County’s Tax Collector
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Bay County’s Property Appraiser
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Bay County’s Supervisor of Elections
Services Provided
Audit & Investigative Services
The Department of Inspector General is committed to preventing and detecting resource misuse and ensuring an effective system of internal controls. The Department strives to provide value-added investigations and audits to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations while educating citizens and policymakers about government operations.
Audit Services are provided to conduct financial, operational, and compliance audits intended to improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes within the operations of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners and Clerk of Court, and Comptroller.
Investigative Services are provided to conduct investigations of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or ethical misconduct initiated through the Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline.
Guardianship Audits & Reporting
Guardianship Audits
The Inspector General supports the Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller staff in an attempt to augment the court’s oversight process applicable to the protection of wards’ assets pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statutes.
Guardianship Reporting
Accountings should include all supporting bank statements, receipts, invoices, and/or cancelled checks (if receipts are unavailable), as well as any other necessary documents for validation.
Plans should include a current Physician’s Report (unless exempt) and any other necessary supporting documentation.
Additional Resources
Report Fraud, Waste & Abuse of County Resources
The Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is committed to preventing fraud and maintaining an environment in which internal controls are established and improved. A crucial element of internal control is a mechanism for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse of county resources.
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Fraud is defined by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception, or other unfair means.
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Waste refers to the unintentional, thoughtless, or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use, or squandering of government resources to the detriment or potential detriment of the County or Clerk.
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Abuse refers to intentional, wrongful, or improper use or destruction of government resources, or seriously improper practice that does not involve prosecutable fraud.
The Clerk, through the Department of Inspector General, established several means for employees and citizens to report potential fraud, waste, or abuse by employees, contractors, vendors, citizens, or other entities that have a business relationship with the Bay County Board of County Commissioners. All complaints received are reviewed by the Clerk’s Inspector General to determine if sufficient information exists to conduct a meaningful investigation.
The Florida Whistle-blowers Act: In accordance with FS 112.3187, employees who report suspected wrongdoing or fraudulent activities are protected from retaliation by management or other employees. Persons reporting wrongdoing or fraudulent activities should provide sufficient details to facilitate an investigation.
What to Report
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Fraud, waste, or abuse/mismanagement of assets or resources in relation to Bay County (Board of County Commissioners & Clerk of Court and Comptroller)
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Violations or circumvention of County or Clerk policies, local laws, rules, or State or Federal regulations
What Not to Report
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General complaints, suggestions, or personnel issues
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Issues of extreme urgency, such as the threat of violence or harassment
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Fraud, waste, or abuse of non-County resources
How to Report
We encourage reporting through our Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline, hosted by a 3rd party provider, EthicsPoint.
Reports can be made 24/7/365:
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Online via Website: secure.ethicspoint.com
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Online via Mobile device: baycoclerkmobile.ethicspoint.com
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By Telephone: (844) 235-6238
Please provide specific information, such as names, dates, locations, and other pertinent information.