Whereas, the coordination of
all aspects of the criminal justice system in Sarasota
County, Florida is essential to the community; and
Whereas, for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of Sarasota County, the Board of County Commissioners (the
“Board”) desires that a commission be established with a
purpose to examine, evaluate, and coordinate all aspects of
the criminal justice system in Sarasota County; and
Whereas, pursuant to Article V of the Florida Constitution
and Florida statutes, counties are required to provide
certain facilities and to fund certain expenses necessary
for the operation of the criminal justice system, comprised
of the county and circuit courts, state attorney’s office,
public defender’s office, sheriff, and court-related
functions of the clerk of court; and
Whereas, the chief judge of the judicial circuit, in
conjunction with the state attorney and the public defender
on matters that impact their offices, is responsible under
Article V of the Florida State Constitution to identify all
local requirements of the court system within the county and
to identify the reasonable and necessary salaries, costs,
and expenses to meet those local requirements; and
Whereas, it is in the best interests of the community that
members of the Sarasota County criminal justice system work
collaboratively with the Board to maximize the efficiencies
of the criminal justice system and to more effectively
allocate available funding.
Now, therefore, be it
resolved by the Board Of County Commissioners Of Sarasota
County, Florida in public meeting assembled:
Section 1. Purpose And
Duties
A. The Sarasota County Criminal Justice Commission
(hereafter called the “Commission”) is hereby established
and shall have the following responsibilities and powers:
(1) Recommend priorities and desired outcomes for the
county’s criminal justice system.
(2) Coordinate the collection and management of all data and
information related to the criminal justice system.
(3) Review and evaluate existing services and programs
within the criminal justice system.
(4) Identify and prioritize needs and gaps in the criminal
justice system and periodically make recommendations to
the Board on improvements needed.
(5) Implement and provide oversight of the requirements
specified in Article V of the Florida State Constitution.
(6) Coordinate with the efforts of the Public Safety
Coordinating Council.
(7) Provide recommendations to the Board on the utilization
of the Byrne, LLEBG and other Federal and State grant
funds available to the county for the criminal justice
system.
(8) Make recommendations to the Board regarding legislation,
ordinances, and comprehensive plans dealing with
programs and services in the criminal justice system.
B. The Health and Human Services Business Center shall
provide the necessary staff resources to support the
Commission in fulfilling its mission.
C. Nothing herein shall be interpreted in any way
inconsistent with the powers and duties afforded by law to
any Constitutional Officer. The Commission shall have no
authority to interfere with, or impose upon, any duties,
rights, or obligations upon a Constitutional Officer’s
discretionary or lawful and independent exercise of his/her
Office.
Section 2. Composition
The Commission shall be comprised of the following ten
members:
A. Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit;
B. A member of the Sarasota County Commission;
C. Sarasota County Sheriff;
D. State Attorney of the TwelfthJudicial Circuit;
E. Public Defender of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit;
F. Clerk of the Circuit Court for Sarasota County;
G. Court Administrator for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit;
H. A Sarasota County Deputy County Administrator;
I. Executive Director of the Sarasota County Health and
Human Services Business Center, and
J. Department of Corrections Sarasota Circuit Administrator.
Section 3. Rules Of Procedure
A. The Commission shall comply with all applicable
requirements of Florida’s Sunshine Law, Public Records laws
and the Code of Ethics for public representatives. The
Commission may adopt additional procedures of operation
provided there is no conflict with Florida State law, County
Ordinances, or this Resolution. In the absence of bylaws,
Roberts Rules of Order will be the standard utilized.
B. The Commission shall meet at such times and places as the
Chair or his/her designee deems appropriate in order to
fulfill the mission and duties of the Commission. The Chair
or his/her designee shall conduct the meetings.
C. The agenda for each meeting shall be prepared and
distributed by the Chair of the Commission or his/her
designee to the Commission members in advance of the
scheduled meeting.
D. A simple majority of the Commission members shall
constitute a quorum.
E. Commission members who are unable to attend a scheduled
meeting may send a designee with a proxy.
F. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the
public and a notice of said meetings shall be published in a
newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Florida
Statutes.
G. All meetings of the Commission shall be recorded on
audiocassette with typed summary minutes prepared and filed
with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board Records Division.
The Health and Human Services Business Center shall keep
copies of the minutes and the audiocassettes on hand for a
period of three years.
H. In the event the Commission finds it necessary to appoint
committees, those committees shall act as fact finding
bodies only, with their sole purpose to report research
issues and/or to report factual findings to the Commission.
I. The Commission shall not incur any expense or obligation
to be paid by Sarasota County Government without prior
authorization by the Board.
Section 4. Officer
A. The Chief Judge shall serve as the Chair of the
Commission.
B. The Commission shall annually select a Vice-Chair from
among its members. Additional officers may be selected by
the Commission as it deems necessary.
Section 5. Repeal
This Resolution repeals and replaces Resolution No.
2004-083.
Section 6. Effective Date
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
Section 7. Sunset Provision
This Resolution shall expire and be of no further force and
effect as of April 27, 2014. Consequently, this Commission
will cease to exist after this Sunset date unless
re-approved by the Board.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 9th DAY OF NOVEMBER 2004.
ATTEST:
KAREN E. RUSHING, Clerk Of Circuit Court And Ex-Officio
Clerk Of The Board Of County Commissioners Of Sarasota
County, Florida
By:
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Chairman
