Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for County-Funded Court Employees.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Interlocal Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (Court) for County-Funded Court Employees.
• The Interlocal Agreement outlines the County and the Court respective responsibilities for additional court personnel to assist in the operation of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
• The current Interlocal Agreement for County Funded Court employees was ratified by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on June 16, 2009 and extended through June 30, 2020.
• The Memorandum of Understanding provides for court personnel funded through grant awards to Pinellas County for the operation of Court programs.
• The Board approves the annual budget for the Court that includes request for additional court personnel.
• County grant awards that provide funding for Court personnel are formally accepted and budgeted by the County.
• The agreements are effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Summary:
The Interlocal Agreement provides funding for additional court personnel to assist in the operation of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The county funded court employees are assigned to the following divisions: Court Technology, Behavioral Evaluations, Juvenile Diversion, Drug Court, Law Library and Family Court.
The MOU provides for Court personnel funded through grants awarded to Pinellas County to be hired as county funded court employees. These employees provide support for specialty court programs such as Family Dependency Treatment Court and Adult Drug Court Enhancement grant awards.
Background/Explanation:
The applicable laws that provide for the establishment of the original Interlocal Agreement are Article V, Sections 2(a) and (14), Florida Constitution, and Chapters 29 and 43, Florida Statutes. Under Florida Statute Section 29.0081, a County may enter into an agreement to fund personnel positions to assist in the operation of the Court. This Interlocal Agreement and MOU do not commit Pinellas County to specific funding levels for this assistance. The active Interlocal Agreement allowing for County-Funded Court employees was ratified by the BCC on June 16, 2009 and extended on May 29, 2016. It will expire on June 30, 2020.
Fiscal Impact:
The Judiciary’s FY2021 budget request includes operational and administrative support for the Circuit and County Courts within Pinellas County. Based on the budget request and current positions, the total value associated with this agreement is approximately $3,872,690 for approximately forty-four (44.25) full time positions. The Board provides funding for statutorily required positions, communications, technology, and certain local option programs pursuant to Article V, Revision 7 of the State Constitution.
The MOU provides for grant-funded Court personnel included in grant awards. This is consistent with the FY20 estimate and FY21 request submitted by the Judiciary during the FY21 budget development process.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Attachments:
County Funded Court Employees - Interlocal
Grant-Funded Court Employees - MOU
Current Agreement for County Funded Court Employees