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County Administrator's Report 11. 2.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Budget & Finance Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Establishment of a County-Funded Administrative Support Specialist Position for Teen Court Program - Will Moore, Chief Deputy Court Administrator
That the Board take the following action concerning the establishment of a County-funded Administrative Support Specialist position for the Escambia County Teen Court Program:
A. Authorize the creation of a Fund 115, Article V Juvenile Programs funded position, Administrative Support Specialist, per the provided job description; and
B. Authorize the recurring personnel expenditure from reserves for the necessary annual cost beginning March 17, 2018, at an hourly rate of $14 x 2080 = $29,120 annual base salary plus benefits.
[Funding: Fund 115, Juvenile Programs Article V, Cost Center 410502, Object Code 51201]
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| BACKGROUND: |
Escambia County Teen Court is a diversion program for juvenile first time offenders, funded by a county ordinance where a $3 court fee is assessed on criminal and civil offenses. Juveniles charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense have the opportunity to accept consequences determined by a jury of their peers, and avoid having a permanent court record. And for teens interested in the legal field, Teen Court is an excellent forum for learning about the court process, and practicing as an attorney, juror, or other court officer - in a live courtroom setting. The program is designed to hold juveniles accountable for their actions, educate teens on the law and consequences, and promote positive peer pressure.
The current part time position provides assistance to the coordinator with case management and during Teen Court sessions. The number and needs of the clients we serve has increased. In order to support this growth, we are requesting the part time student position become a full time Administrative Support Specialist. The increase in hours would provide more administrative support so the Coordinator could increase her presence in the community with school checks for current clients and volunteer recruitment. It is important to a successful case closure that each juvenile is attending school and knows that their behavior is being monitored. Another vital role to Teen Court is the volunteer component. With the additional hours, the Coordinator would be able to visit more area middle and high schools to increase volunteer participation. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
Funding for the Teen Court Administrative Support Specialist position will be provided through Juvenile Programs Article V Fund according to Florida Statute 938.19 Court Costs Teen Courts:
“(1)Notwithstanding s. 318.121, in each county in which a teen court has been created, the board of county commissioners may adopt a mandatory court cost to be assessed in specific cases by incorporating by reference the provisions of this section in a county ordinance. Assessments collected by the clerk of the circuit court under this section shall be deposited into an account specifically for the operation and administration of the teen court.
(2)A sum of up to $3 shall be assessed as a court cost in the circuit and county court in the county against each person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, regardless of adjudication, or adjudicated delinquent for a violation of a criminal law, a delinquent act, or a municipal or county ordinance, or who pays a fine or civil penalty for any violation of chapter 316. Any person whose adjudication is withheld under s. 318.14(9) or (10) shall also be assessed the cost.
(3)The assessment for court costs shall be assessed in addition to any fine or civil penalty or other court cost and may not be deducted from the proceeds of that portion of any fine or civil penalty that is received by a municipality in the county or by the county in accordance with ss. 316.660 and 318.21. The assessment shall be specifically added to any civil penalty paid for a violation of chapter 316, regardless of whether the penalty is paid by mail, paid in person without request for a hearing, or paid after hearing and determination by the court. However, the assessment may not be made against a person for a violation of any state law or municipal or county ordinance relating to the parking of vehicles, with the exception of a violation of the handicapped parking laws.
(4)(a)The clerk of the circuit court shall collect the assessments for court costs established in this section and shall remit the assessments to the teen court monthly.
(b)The clerk of the circuit court shall withhold 5 percent of the assessments collected, which shall be retained as fee income of the office of the clerk of the circuit court.
(5)A teen court must account for all funds received under this section in a written report to the board of county commissioners. The report must be given to the commissioners by August 1 of each year or by a date required by the commissioners.
(6)A teen court may be administered by a nonprofit organization, a law enforcement agency, the court administrator, the clerk of the court, or another similar agency authorized by the board of county commissioners.
(7)A teen court administered in a county that adopts an ordinance to assess court costs under this section may not receive court costs collected under s. 939.185(1)(a)4.” |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
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| PERSONNEL: |
| N/A |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| N/A |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| N/A |
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