John Bodner

Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes announced the creation of a new role at the clerk’s office aimed at saving taxpayer dollars. The new chief of government efficiency will focus on identifying cost-saving measures and providing strategic recommendations to help reduce the office’s budget and streamline operations, clerk’s office officials said.

John Bodner, the clerk’s chief administrative officer, was tapped to serve in the position effective Feb. 3. Bodner joined the agency in 2023 and previously served as the assistant county administrator in Lancaster County, South Carolina. He also worked at the Lee County Tax Collector as the chief financial officer.

The clerk’s chief administrative officer position will be discontinued.

The chief of government efficiency will look at budgets and expenses with a different lens from internal auditors, who traditionally focus on different priorities. Bodner will determine if purchases are mission critical to the clerk’s office and make recommendations to the clerk on whether the expense was a good use of taxpayer dollars. The role will also be responsible for regular research projects that are centered around the clerk’s cost-saving initiatives and overall performance.