Monroe County Sheriff Returns $5.4 Million in Unused Funds to Local Governments

Sheriff Rick Ramsay announced on social media that his office will return more than $5.4 million in unspent funds from last year’s budget — part of an annual pledge to fiscal responsibility.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay announced Monday on social media that his office will return more than $5.4 million in unspent funds from the last fiscal year to county and municipal governments throughout the Florida Keys.

The total refund amounts to $5,435,536, including $4,985,009 returned to Monroe County, $123,253 to the Village of Islamorada, $22,034 to the City of Marathon, and $305,239 to the Key West International Airport.

“Fiscal responsibility remains one of my priorities and this last fiscal year was no different as I return millions of taxpayer dollars due to the Sheriff’s Office operating under budget,” Ramsay said in the post. “I will always treat public funds like my own and continue to be the best financial steward I can be, knowing how hard each of you work to live in paradise.”

The Sheriff’s Office traditionally returns excess operating funds at the end of each fiscal year, helping county and municipal governments offset expenses and reduce taxes in the upcoming budget cycle.

The announcement follows a series of cost-control measures by the agency, which Ramsay said were achieved without reducing staffing or public safety services across the island chain.

“This practice is something we take pride in,” Ramsay added. “It’s one more way we can give back to the people we serve and show that accountability matters.”