HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-134RESOLUTION NO. 85-134
A RESOLUTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN
SUPPORT OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE
PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN THE 19TH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
WHEREAS, the 19th Judicial Circuit is comprised of
Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee Counties; and
WHEREAS, the Public Defender for the District has
requested each of the named counties for county contributions to his
budget for fiscal year 1985-86 so that he will be able to perform
his State -mandated duties in the defense of defendants charged with
criminal charges; and
WHEREAS, Florida law provides that the funding of the
Public Defender's Office is the responsibility of the State and not
t
the counties; and
WHEREAS, if the counties fail to authorize a budgetary
increase for the Public Defender's Office, in reliance on State law,
his office will decline representation of a substantial number of
persons charged with criminal offenses who will then be given
court-appointed lawyers by the trial judge, at the expense of the
county; and
WHEREAS, this latter procedure would result in even more
expense to the county than by financing the Public Defender's Office
by direct county contribution; and
WHEREAS, Indian River County feels that the State is not
meeting its responsibility and is handicapping the County with
substantial unbudgeted expenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, THROUGH ITS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS that:
1. The Governor and the Florida Legislature are rebpectfully
requested to properly fund the budget of the Public Defender of the
19th Judicial Circuit for the 1985-86 fiscal year, so that the
counties comprising that circuit will not have to contribute
substantial unbudgeted county moneys for the support of a Stpte
responsibility.
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2. The Governor and Legislature of the State of Florida are
respectfully requested to reimburse Indian River
County for the
amount of money which will be spent by it during
fiscal year
1985-86, approximately $43,000, for the operation of the Public
Defender's Office.
The foregoing resolution was offered
by Commissioner
Scurlock who moved its adoption. The motion
was seconded by
Commissioner Bird and, being put to
a vote, the vote
was as follows:
Chairman Patrick B. Lyons
Aye
Vice Chairman Don C. Scurlock, Jr.
Aye
Commissioner Richard N. Bird
Aye
Commissioner William C. Wodtke, Jr.
Aye
Commissioner Margaret C. Bowman
Aye
The Chairman thereupon declared Resolution
No. 85334 duly
passed and adopted this 4th day of December
, 1985.
BOARD OOUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
OF INDk-A RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA
By .
a rick B,
y'o ,
Chairman
Aatest:
„1; Freda Wright, Clerk
V. Hai OLA -fakt
APPROV n ,AS TO FORM AND LEGAL
SUFFICI. ENCY:
C arles P. Vitunac
County Attorney
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