Subject:
Title
Reappointment of Special Magistrate candidates pursuant to Pinellas County Code, Chapter 2, Article VIII.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Reappoint all currently serving enforcing department Special Magistrates for a term of three years and authorize the County Administrator, or his delegee, to execute contract renewals.
• The County currently has contracts with two special magistrates.
• The currently serving Special Magistrates meet or exceed the minimum qualifications established in the county code.
• This reappointment of Special Magistrate candidates has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County. Funding for these special magistrates is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget in the Code Enforcement portion of the Building Development and Review Services Department in the General Fund, in the Construction License Board portion of the Building Development and Review Services Department in the Contractor Licensing Fund, and in the Water and Navigation portion of Public Works in the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community.
Background Information:
Under Pinellas County Code Section 2-620, Special Magistrates “shall serve a term of three (3) years from the date of appointment,” and may be reappointed at the discretion of the Board. The County currently has contracts with two (2) Special Magistrates.
The Special Magistrates will continue to work with the Special Magistrate administrative staff within Code Enforcement to ensure adequate coverage for enforcing departments and a sufficient number of cases to be handled by each during the rotational schedule.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no additional fiscal impact with this resolution as there is a budget of $70,270.00 in FY26.
The purpose of this resolution is to affirm the reappointment of Special Magistrates whose contracts have already been negotiated. For reference, the current hourly rate for service for the current Special Magistrates is $195.00 per hour. The total amount budgeted for enforcing departments for services in FY26 is $70,000.00.
It should be noted that, if Pinellas County prevails in prosecuting a case before the Special Magistrate, the County shall be entitled to recover all costs incurred as allowed by law. Property owners found to be in violation may be charged the contractual hourly rate for the Special Magistrate services. Therefore, a portion of the cost of the Special Magistrate program is funded by assessed fees and lien settlements.
Staff Member Responsible:
Jude Reazin, Pinellas County Housing Official
David Barrera , Assistant County Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution