Resolution 152-20154
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RESOLUTION NO. 152 - 2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA FORMALLY ESTABLISHING THE
"JOHN RICHARD COLLINS LEGAL SCHOLAR PROGRAM" WITHIN
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
ATTORNEY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE GRANTS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE CLERK TO REIMBURSE PROGRAM
PARTICIPANTS FOR REASONABLE LIVING EXPENSES AND OTHER
PURPOSES RELATED TO THE INTERNSHIP.
WHEREAS, John Richard Collins served with distinction as the Monroe County
Attorney from 2003 until 2006; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his service as County Attorney, Mr. Collin's legacy of
distinguished service to the community includes his tenure as a Deputy Sheriff, an Assistant
State Attorney, legal advisor to the Monroe County Sheriff, Monroe County School Board
Attorney, and Adjunct Professor at Florida Keys Community College and St. Leo's University;
and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as County Attorney, Mr. Collins established an internship
program whereby law school students could gain practical experience working in the County
Attorney's Office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Collins' establishment of the internship program was emblematic of his
belief in providing educational opportunities and emphasis on scholarly achievement; and
WHEREAS, the County benefits from the assistance provided by law students interning
within the County Attorney's Office; and
WHEREAS, students are often able to earn credit towards graduation through such
internships; and
WHEREAS, under the academic standards applicable to law schools, a student may
receive credit towards graduation for participation in an internship program if that student is not
compensated for his or her work; and
WHEREAS, those same standards do, however, permit employing entities to reimburse a
student for reasonable out -of- pocket living expenses related to an internship; and
WHEREAS, the high cost of living in the Florida Keys can discourage students from
seeking internships with Monroe County;
WHEREAS, recently, the Florida Bar awarded a $2,000 grant to the Monroe County
Attorney's Office to assist with the internship program; and
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WHEREAS, the County must match the dollar amount provided by the Section; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the first time that the County Attorney's Office has
received such a grant; and
WHEREAS, the County does not currently have a policy that would authorize the
reimbursement of living expenses associated with an internship for a law student; and
WHEREAS, this resolution is necessary to establish a mechanism by which such funds
can be used to reimburse living expenses for program participants; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to honor the legacy of John Richard Collins who passed
away in 2012 by formally establishing the "John Richard Collins Legal Scholar Program"
within the County Attorney's Office;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1. The Board hereby establishes the "John Richard Collins Legal Scholar program"
within the County Attorney's Office;
2. Participants in this program shall henceforth be referred to as "Collins Scholars ";
3. Collins Scholars shall be law students selected according to criteria established by
the County Attorney;
4. The County Attorney is hereby authorized to solicit and accept grant funds on
behalf of the County to support appropriate expenses related to the program;
5. The County Attorney is hereby authorized to approve and the Clerk is authorized
to pay appropriate expenses related to the program including but not limited to
reasonable living expenses of Collins Scholars; and
6. This resolution shall be effective retroactively to May 1, 2015.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 10` day of June, 2015.
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONAQE c COUNTY FLO DA
B
'n i m10 J 3tJyc! NW Mayor DYnny L. Kolhage
Mayor Danny L. Kolhage
Carruthers
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