Item R04
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: April 17, 2002
Division:
District 1
Bulk Item: Yes
No
Department: Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County beseeching the
Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Legislature to find funding to staff the new Juvenile
Detention Center for Monroe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Monroe County must transport juveniles waiting for disposition to the Miami/Detention facility putting
them and the state workers in danger on the highway with an up to five-hour ride and separating the
juveniles from their family and legal counsel. Manning the Monroe County Juvenile Detention Center
would provide a more stable environment and increase the chance of preventing more serious and
repetitive offenses.
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
Year
APPROVED BY:
County Atty ~
OMB/Purchasing Risk Management
- -
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
) .
(Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar)
DOCUMENT A TION:
Included
To Follow
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #~
Revised 2/27/01
APR-03-02 17,03 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10,3052823518
PAGE
1/1
Commissioner Dixie Spehelr'
RESOLUTION NO.
-2002
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARl) of COUNlY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA 8ESEECHING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE STATE
lEGISLATURE TO fIND FUNDING TO STAff rnE NEW JUVENII..E DETENTION
CENTER FOR MONROE COUNTY
WHEREAS, far approximately 20 yec,.s. Monroe County juveniles needing detention Cr'iteria have
been driven to tne Miami/Dade Detention facility pending their next hearing; and
WHEREAS, 'transportation of $Qid juveniles is a dc1ngerous and expensive trip taking up to 5 holM"S
eaehwcxy;ond
WHEREAS, transportation on US 1 in Monroe County, and especially between Key lArgo and the
mainland is increasingly dangerous CU\d puts children and state workers at risk; and
WHEREAS, Morroe County juveniles detained for as long CIS 21 days in Miami are unable to see or
communicate effectively with their families or attol"l"Iey's; and
WHEREAS, the Deportment of Jwenile Justice (DJJ) is charged in FS 520.316 with r~ponsibility
for planning. coordinating and managing programs end services in the juvenile jU$tice continuum: and
WHEREAS, Chapter 985, fS, set~ forth a variety of purposes including safeguarding ond protecting
the childrert in DJJ's care, preserving the child's fantily ties, and siting residential facilities for JUVEnile
offenders cloSe to the home communities of the children they house to ensure the most effective
rehabilitation efforts; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County and it:~ Sheriff contributed approximately $4.83 million towards the
construc:tion of Cl new juverlile detention facility at (I site within the home community of the majority of
children who would reside or re.c;eive services there and much doser to the home. commU"lity of most
remaining children to be detained or served than the Miami/Dade detention facility: and
WHEREAS, due to budget cuts, the Department of Juvenile Justice is not providing funds to staff
the new detention center; now, therefore
APR-03-02 17,15 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10,3052823518
PAGE
1/1
BE IT REsol.VED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLOR!I)A:
Section 1.
The 80CC and Sheriff for Monroe County have contributed significont rcsources to
the completion of the new Juvenile ()etfU\tltm Center with the expectation that the focili~ would be utilized
to provide in Monroe County, close to home, sa'"ices and programs in the juvenile justice continuum SG as to
enhance the safety, welfare, rehabilitation and post release supervision of Monroe County children.
Section 2.
Some of the costs of staffing the new Juyenile betention Center would be offset by
the decrease in cQ6t of the transportation, and would significantly reduce the potential for liability due to
injuries and deaths which might occur during tl"<Ulsportation to the Miami/[)ade Juvenile Detention Center.
Section 3.
The Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Legislatt.re8 arc beseeched to
take every step p<lssible to find the necessary funding to staff the Juvenile Detention Center in Monroe
County.
Section 4.
Copies of this Resolution shall be distributed to the Secretary for the Department of
Juvenile Justice and to the State Legislatures rep.-esenting Monroe County.
PASSEO ANI) ADOP1'ED by the Boai'd of Co~ty Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, ot a
regular meeting of said 80crd held on the 17tn day of April. 2002.
Mayor Charles McCay
Mayor Pro Tern Dixie Spehdr
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner' George Neugent
Commissioner Nora Williams
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L.I<Ol..HAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY. FLORIDA
By
By
Mator IChairperson
Deputy Clerk
jdresDJJ'