Resolution 2004-061
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-61
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO SUPPORT FULL AND
ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE STATE COURT SYSTEM AND THE
TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR ALL
FLORIDIANS.
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WHEREAS, Article V of the Florida Constitution provides authority for the Judiciary,
its organization, and funding; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 1998, the voters of Florida passed Revision 7 which
amended Article V of the Florida Constitution; and
WHEREAS, counties fund many components of the state court system, the offices
of the state attorneys, publiC defenders, and clerks of court; and
WHEREAS, other types of expenses presently paid by counties include office space,
courtrooms, administrative staff, communication services, expert witnesses,
interpreters, security, depositions, court programs and other miscellaneous equipment
and travel expenses; and
WHEREAS, the County funds over half of the budget for the Twentieth Judicial
Circuit; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Judiciary, the Twentieth Judicial Circuit serves the citizens
of Collier County; and in particular, it:
1) Guarantees the freedoms we enjoy daily by upholding the law, protecting our
individual rights and liberties, enforcing public order, and providing for a
peaceful resolution of disputes;
2) Safeguards victims' rights, determines guilt or innocence of the accused, and
imposes appropriate punishment;
3) Resolves personal, business, and property disputes;
4) Protects families, children, the elderly and Infirm;
5) Facilitates case processing through programs that provide citizens with timely
and efficient access to justice and that relieve the impact on the Court system
and County services resulting from population growth;
6) Provides due process services that protect each citizen's right to a fair and
impartial trial through such services as court-appointed expert witnesses,
interpreters, and court reporters;
7) Provides post-adjudication services that ensure compliance with court ordered
sanctions that reduce recidivism and, most importantly, that offer offenders a
structured program through which they can restore as a viable member of
society; and
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WHEREAS, beginning July 1, 2004, Revision 7 requires the bulk of expenses
associated with the courts, state attorneys, and public defenders to be funded by the
State and not the counties; and
WHEREAS, presently the Florida courts receive less than 1% of the total 2003/2004
State budget and after the implementation of Revision 7 will receive less than 2% of the
State's 2004/2005 budget; and
WHEREAS, the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Collier County depend upon
an impartial and independent judiciary and on the ability of the State Attorney and the
Public Defender to fulfill their vital roles; and
WHEREAS, without adequate funding, the courts, state attorneys and public
defenders will be unable to address all cases brought before the Courts, to serve vital
public interests, and to protect our basic freedoms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
The Board of County Commissioners of Collier County recommends and requests
that the Florida Legislature fulfill its obligations under Revision 7 to ensure that the
Florida State Court System and the offices of the State Attorney and the Public
Defender of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit receive full and adequate funding to support
the programs identified in Revision 7 (the budget submitted by the Chief Justice of the
Florida Supreme Court) without transferring additional costs to local government.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, this 24th day of February, 2004.
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: (/1rJ.~ k
DONN FIA , airman
Approved as to form and
legal sufficiency:
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David C. Weigel 'zS
County Attorney
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