As Clerk, I believe that being present and engaged in the community is critical to ensuring transparency and fostering trust in our office. The Clerk’s Office is responsible for over 1,000 constitutional and statutory services—each one vital to the smooth operation of our local government and access to justice for Collier County residents.
Over the past few years, one topic has consistently emerged in community discussions: the rising cost of living in Collier County, and how it affects both families and the workforce. This prompted me to take a deeper look at how it may be influencing our ability to recruit and retain talent in the Clerk’s Office.
Turnover Trends: A Reflection of Broader Shifts
Our turnover data shows that staffing remained stable up until FY21, when it began to rise, likely due to post-pandemic workforce movement. In FY22, we saw a noticeable spike in turnover, jumping to 27.3%. This aligns with national trends where employees began seeking new opportunities in a more open job market.
While the overall turnover has since stabilized, FY24 saw a slight increase, driven largely by a notable uptick in retirements—accounting for 21% of all separations, a significant rise over FY23. Importantly, only three employees over the last few years cited cost of living as their primary reason for leaving, suggesting that while impactful, it is not yet the leading cause of turnover.
Housing Trends: Where Our Employees Live
Housing affordability is a more subtle but telling metric. Collier County’s median home price has reached $650,000 (Feb 2025), while the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment stands at $2,926. In contrast, neighboring Lee County offers a more affordable alternative, with a median home price of $390,000 and rent averaging $2,439. This cost disparity is reflected in our workforce demographics:
In FY18, nearly 89% of our employees lived in Collier County. By FY24, that figure dropped to 84.8%, while the number of employees living in Lee County and surrounding counties rose to 15.2%—more than a 30% increase over the same period.
This trend illustrates that affordability is becoming a growing factor in where our employees choose to live.
What Keeps People Here
While we continue to monitor economic trends, I remain confident in the culture and values we’ve built. Research shows that salary, while important, is often not the top reason people stay with an organization.
From my perspective, these five key pillars are what make our office a place where people want to build careers:
- Sense of Purpose
- Respect Across All Levels
- Trust Between Leadership and Staff
- Opportunities to Grow and Learn
- A Competitive Total Compensation Package
Since becoming Clerk, I’ve made it a personal priority to meet with applicants, interns, and volunteers prior to hiring. This ensures alignment with our mission:
To provide the highest quality service to the citizens of Collier County while being a steadfast custodian of public funds, protecting the public trust, and promoting accountability and accessibility.
This mission is what drives us, and it is what I believe sets the Clerk’s Office apart. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m committed to continuing to grow, adapt, and support the incredible people who make this organization what it is.