Laserfiche WebLink
Commissioner Wheeler wished the Board to take note of the <br />Sheriff's Fines and Forfeiture Fund which is over two hundred <br />thousand dollars. He felt these funds could be used for the <br />Substance Abuse Council's program. <br />County Attorney Vitunac advised that the procedure would be <br />for the Sheriff to request that the Board take money from the Fines <br />and Forfeiture Fund for this purpose; then the Board makes a <br />decision to use the funds for the Substance Abuse Council's <br />program. <br />Commissioner Scurlock understood this fund could not be used <br />for recurring expenses but only one time expenditures. <br />Attorney Vitunac explained the restriction was the fund could <br />not be used as a source of revenue to meet normal operating needs <br />of the law enforcement agency, but it specifically is allowed to be <br />used for drug programs. <br />Commissioner Wheeler quoted from Chapter 932.704, Florida <br />Statutes, "These funds may be expended only upon request by the <br />sheriff to the Board of County Commissioners.... Such funds may be <br />expended only to defray the costs of ..... or drug abuse <br />education..." He also commented that a large portion of the Anti - <br />Drug Abuse funding is being used in the jail so he felt it would be <br />appropriate and would save $50,000 out of our ad valorem taxes. <br />Commissioner Scurlock wished to add to his <br />Motion authorization for the Chairman to request the <br />Sheriff to request the Board to take $50,000 from <br />the Fines and Forfeiture Fund to pay for this <br />program and if the Sheriff does not do so, the <br />County will fund the program. <br />Commissioner Wheeler seconded the addition. <br />THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE QUESTION on the <br />motion as amended. <br />It was voted on and carried unanimously. <br />Commissioner Scurlock commended the Anti -Drug Abuse program <br />and the people involved, several of whom were in the audience. He <br />felt this is another program we don't get credit for and he <br />believed the public is not aware of the quiet efforts of the <br />individuals working in the several Substance Abuse Programs. <br />Commissioner Eggert suggested that when these programs come to <br />us for approval, summaries of what has been accomplished be <br />provided to the Board. She also stressed that she views this as <br />seed money and the recipients should not rely on continuing to <br />receive it automatically. <br />49 <br />