Resolution 045-2008
Commissioner Spehar
RESOLUTION NO. 045 - 2008
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA RECOMMENDING THE STATE OF FLORIDA CONTINUE
THE LEVEL OF FUNDING NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN EXISTING JUVENILE
DETENTION BED CAPACITY AND EXISTING LEVEL OF JUVENILE SERVICES
AND TREATMENT AT THE MONROE REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION
FACILITY LOCATED IN KEY WEST, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND
RECOMMENDING THE PROPOSED DETENTION BED CAPACITY FUNDING
REDUCTIONS PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 FOR
THE MONROE REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY NOT BE PURSUED.
WHEREAS, in 1999 Monroe County entered into a Land Lease Agreement with the State of Florida,
Department of Juvenile Justice (hereafter "DJY') , for a period of fifty (50) years commencing 7/8/1999 for the
establishment and operation of a Juvenile Justice Facility in Monroe County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2001, Monroe County entered into a Construction and Occupation
Agreement with DJJ, to run concurrent with the 50-year term of the existing Land Lease Agreement, for the
construction and operation of a residential juvenile facility in Monroe County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Article III - OCCUPANCY AND USE, Section 2. of the Construction and Occupation
Agreement specifically states "The First Floor shall be occupied by DJJ for the operation of a 45-bed
residential juvenile facility. Said residential facility may contain both a secure detention facility and a
residential program"; and
WHEREAS, in good faith, Monroe County has made substantial financial contributions both initially
and throughout the subsequent years, in partnership with DJJ, for the construction and operation of the Monroe
Regional Juvenile Detention Center; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Monroe County have a right to expect their youth remain in their
community to ensure continuity of services such as education, mental health and substance abuse assessment
and treatment and family support; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County is unique logistically in comparison to other Counties throughout the State
of Florida in that we are a string of islands connected by bridges requiring our youth to be transported a
minimum of four (4) hours away to the next closest facility if a local juvenile facility is not available; and
WHEREAS, holding local youth in a detention center outside of Monroe County places them at an
extreme disadvantage making them ineligible for critical overlay services and lack of access to legal services
and the required transportation back and forth increasingly more hazardous with the portion of U.S. 1 connecting
the Florida Keys to the mainland having one of the highest fatality rates; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County is concerned regarding the proposed reduction in funding for detention
bed capacity for the Monroe Regional Juvenile Detention Center due to an a misconception that it is an
"underutilized facility" due to its lower "numbers" when compared with other facilities around the State; and
WHEREAS, the demographics and logistics of Monroe County are significantly unique and basing
utilization on a standard formula used throughout the State of Florida a false indicator; and
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WHEREAS, the proposed reduction in funds will negate the success realized in Monroe County since
1999 as a direct result of the united commitment and efforts of both Monroe County and DJJ toward
strengthening our families and protecting our youth and our community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1: The Board recommends the State of Florida continue the level of funding
necessary to maintain existing juvenile detention bed capacity and existing level of juvenile
services and treatment at the Monroe Regional Detention Facility located in Key West, Florida
Section 2. The Board further recommends the proposed detention bed capacity funding
reduction proposed by the Governor for Fiscal Year 2008-09 for the Monroe Regional Detention
Facility located in Key West, Florida not be pursued.
Section 3. That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the
Governor of the State of Florida, Representative Ron Saunders and Senator Larcenia J. Bullard
and Mr. Walter A. McNeil, Secretary Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 2737 Centerview
Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3100.
Section 4:
This Resolution shall become effective on the date written below.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a
meeting of said Board held on the 20th day of February, A.D., 2008.
MayorCharles "Sonny" McCoy Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Mario DiGennaro Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes
Commissioner George Neugent Yes
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE CO , FLORIDA
By
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NATllEENE W. CASSEL
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