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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2023 <br />Under discussion with Commissioner Moss, Ms. Swindell informed of ELAP's <br />evaluation prioritization criteria; safeguards to protecting land; minimizing public <br />impact in conservation areas; and finding the best and highest use for the land. <br />Ms. Swindell informed the ELAP had issued an RFP for an acquisition consultant, <br />and the Panel's recommendation would be brought before the Board for <br />approval. Vice Chairman Flescher thanked all who served on the ELAP. <br />A motion was made by Vice Chairman Flescher, seconded by Commissioner <br />Moss, to approve staffs recommendation. The motion carried by the <br />following vote: <br />Aye: 4 - Chairman Adams, Vice Chairman Flescher, Commissioner Moss, and <br />Commissioner Loar <br />Absent: 1 - Commissioner Earman <br />H. Planning and Development Services <br />1. Public Works <br />J. Utilities Services <br />13. COUNTY ATTORNEY MATTERS <br />13.A. 23-1111 Charging Criminal Defendants Additional Fees <br />Recommended Action: Discuss and decide whether the Board wishes to direct staff to amend the code in <br />order to charge for additional court costs in criminal cases. <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />County Attorney Bill DeBraal explained that Florida Statutes allowed counties to <br />charge $65 in court fees to a defendant found guilty of a crime; the funds were <br />allocated to programs for the community. Recently, the State affirmed the practice of <br />charging defendants a $65 court fee for each count of a crime that returned a guilty <br />verdict. It was estimated the collected fees could bring in an additional $300,000 for <br />community programs, if the board chose to amend the County's code. Attorney <br />DeBraal warned that the 19th Circuit's Public Defender would likely challenge this <br />practice. <br />Vice Chairman Flescher spoke in favor of the change, and acknowledged the Court <br />may not collect all the fees assessed. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Loar, seconded by Vice Chairman <br />Flescher, to approve directing staff to amend the Code in order to charge for <br />additional court costs in criminal cases. The motion carried by the following vote: <br />Aye: 4 - Chairman Adams, Vice Chairman Flescher, Commissioner Moss, and <br />Commissioner Loar <br />Absent: 1 - Commissioner Earman <br />In than River County Florida Page 14 <br />