Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes has announced the creation of a new position within the Clerk’s office aimed at increasing efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars.
The newly established Chief of Government Efficiency (CoGE) will focus on identifying cost-saving measures, streamlining operations and ensuring the office remains fiscally responsible.
Unlike internal auditors who focus on compliance and financial oversight, the CoGE will take a broader approach to evaluating expenses.
According to the press release, this role will assess whether purchases are mission-critical to the Clerk’s Office and provide strategic recommendations on spending.
Additionally, the position will oversee research projects designed to enhance cost-saving initiatives and improve overall office performance.
"Creating this new role is the right thing to do for the taxpayer," Karnes said. "As Lee County’s Clerk and Comptroller, I understand the importance of being a good steward of taxpayer money. I hear the sensitivity surrounding government budgets and am committed to doing something about it."
John Bodner, the Clerk’s current Chief Administrative Officer, has been appointed as the first CoGE, which will become effective on Feb. 3.
With his transition, the Chief Administrative Officer position will be discontinued. Bodner joined the agency in 2023 and previously served as the assistant county administrator in Lancaster County, South Carolina.
He also held the role of Chief Financial Officer for the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office.
The Clerk's Office said Bodner holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Business Administration from Murray State University.
Bodner is actively involved in the community, serving as a board member for Childcare of Southwest Florida and the Estero Forever Foundation.
With this new initiative, Karnes aims to reinforce his commitment to fiscal responsibility while enhancing government efficiency for the benefit of Lee County taxpayers.
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