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r� U I -I L J ZL ARTICLE V TRUST FUND GRANT-IN-AID AGREEMENT - OFFICE OF STATE COURTSADMINISTRATOR (OSCA) -COURT COSTS The Board reviewed a Memorandum of February 10, 1999: TO: Members of the Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: Joseph A. Baird DATE: February 10, 1999 Budget Director FROM: Jason E. Brown Budget Analyst C)� SUBJECT: GRANT AGREEMENT FOR ARTICLE V TRUST FUND GRANT-IN-AID BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS During the 1997 legislative session, the state congress passed HB 1319 which created the County Article V Trust Fund. The trust fund was -created to provide compensation to counties for certain court costs, including court reporting and transcribing costs, expert witness fees, and costs incurred for the appointment of special public defenders in criminal cases. Five percent of all civil penalties collected by county courts in State fiscal year 1998/99 will be deposited into the Article V Trust Fund for distribution to the counties through grants-in-aid. This percentage is to increase in subsequent years up to 20.6% in FY 2001/02. Indian River County has been awarded a grant-in-aid in the amount of $11,804 under the Article V Trust Fund for this year. In consultation with the chief judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, staff has developed a spending plan for these funds. Under the plan, Indian River County will receive funding for special public defender costs and expert witness fees. The grant monies are to be distributed in advance through three disbursements prior to July 31, 1999. No matching funds or expenditures by the County are required as conditions of the grant. Attached is the proposed grant-in-aid agreement between the County and the Office of the State Courts Administrator, who will administer the grant. In order to obtain the funds, the county must return the sign agreement, along with the spending plan approved by the chief judge of the circuit no later than February 19, 1999. The spending plan has been approved by Judge Paul B. Kanarek, and is enclosed for your review. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners approve the grant and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement along with the attached letter approving the spending plan. ON MOTION by Commissioner Stanbridge, SECONDED by Commissioner Ginn, the Board unanimously approved the grant and authorized the Chairman to sign the Grant -In -Aid Agreement with Florida Supreme Court, Office of the State Courts Administrator, as well as the letter approving the spending plan, as recommended by staff. AGREEMENT IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE FEBRUARY 16, 1999 OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD -17- BOOK 108 FAGE..51