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.<\/p>\n
While the overall turnover has since stabilized, FY24 saw a slight increase, driven largely by a notable uptick in retirements\u2014accounting 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.<\/p>\n
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Housing Trends: Where Our Employees Live<\/strong><\/p>\n Housing affordability is a more subtle but telling metric. Collier County\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n 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%\u2014more than a 30% increase over the same period.<\/p>\n This trend illustrates that affordability is becoming a growing factor in where our employees choose to live.<\/p>\n What Keeps People Here<\/strong><\/p>\n While we continue to monitor economic trends, I remain confident in the culture and values we\u2019ve built. Research shows that salary, while important, is often not the top reason people stay with an organization.<\/p>\n From my perspective, these five key pillars are what make our office a place where people want to build careers:<\/p>\n Since becoming Clerk, I\u2019ve made it a personal priority to meet with applicants, interns, and volunteers prior to hiring. This ensures alignment with our mission:<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n This mission is what drives us, and it is what I believe sets the Clerk\u2019s Office apart. I\u2019m proud of how far we\u2019ve come, and I\u2019m committed to continuing to grow, adapt, and support the incredible people who make this organization what it is.<\/p>\n\n