Item C01 CI
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
February 21, 2024
Agenda Item Number: C 1
2023-1676
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Guardian Ad Litem
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Alexsa Leto
No
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Agreement with Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office for
Administrative Assistant 3 position, a State OPS position, on a reimbursement basis.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Based upon the Statewide GAL Office's certification of need, the County agrees to provide funding to
pay for salary and benefits sufficient to pay for one(1) Guardian ad Litem Senior Administrative
Assistant 3 position to assist with the operation of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office- Circuit 16th
Circuit's Guardian ad Litem program in Monroe County.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
The County will provide funding on a reimbursement basis for the Administrative Assistant 3, subject
to annual appropriation of the BOCC.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
ILA Ad in Assistant 3 position with exhibits.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$44,941.28 - $69,658.98
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AGREEMENT WITH STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE FOR
REIMBURSEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 3 SERVICES
THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT is made and entered as of January 31, 2024, by
and between the STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE (hereinafter
"GAL") and MONROE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Florida
(hereinafter"County"),which when referenced together shall be called"the Parties."
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS,in the 2012 regular legislative session,the Florida legislature passed
SB 1960,now codified in § 39.8297, F.S.,which in pertinent part states that the Statewide
Guardian Ad Litem Office may enter into an agreement by which a county agrees to
provide funding to the local guardian ad litem office in order to employ persons who will
assist in the operation of the GAL program within the county,and that any such agreement,
at a minimum, must provide that the statewide office shall fully indemnify the County for
any liability for violation for state and federal laws by the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem
Office, its agents or employees as authorized by § 768.28(19), F.S, to the extent such
liability is the result of the acts or omissions of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office or
its agents or employees; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners ("Board")
recognizes the benefit the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit GAL Program provides to the
County's children involved in the dependency system and desires to provide, within its
discretion, additional personnel support to the local GAL program as set forth herein;and
WHEREAS,the Board further desires the personnel services provided herein shall
not result in it or the County bearing employment liability risk as a result of the fact that
the County will not be able to manage,control,or oversee the personnel funded under this
Agreement,nor the work environment in which such personnel will work; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2012, retroactive to July 1, 2012, the Board of
County Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Statewide Office of
the Guardian Ad Litem,in order to pay for a Senior Administrative Assistant position(1.0
FTE). The employee occupying the position has subsequently been promoted and now
occupies the position of Manager, Guardian Ad Litem; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2012, the Board of County Commissioners also
approved funding for a second position (initially with the job title Case Coordinator, and
subsequently with the job title Child Advocate Manager),which position was classified by
the State as an Other Personal Services (OPS)position. The County provided funding for
this position on a reimbursement basis; and
WHEREAS, the Statewide Office of the Guardian Ad Litem has now requested
that the County establish a third GAL position, for an Administrative Assistant 3;and
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WHEREAS,this Interlocal Agreement is entered into pursuant to§ 163.01,Florida
Statutes, and the Parties have the authority pursuant to § 163.01 to enter into said
Agreement concerning the provision of the GAL services under a joint exercise of power
hereinafter described, and, ii� particular, to spell out the manner of employing necessary
personnel pursuant to § 163.01(5)(g); and
WHEREAS,the Board desires to achieve these aims by entering into this Interlocal
Agreement; and
NOW,THEREFORE,in consideration of the terms,conditions and covenants hereinafter
provided, the Parties agree as follows:
SECTION ONE: POSITION AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The Board of County Commissioners has agreed to provide funding for an
Administrative Assistant 3 position for the GAL Program.
B. The duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant 3 position will be as
shown in the job description attached hereto as Attachment "A."
C. The GAL agrees to pay the individual hired in this position at the rate of$ 21.72
per hour at 40 hours per week for the term of this Agreement.
D. The GAL agrees to manage and supervise the individual hired in this position
pursuant to GAL personnel policies and procedures.
E. The parties agree that the employee will be hired, supervised, managed, and
terminated by the Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office.
F. The GAL program shall be considered the employer for all purposes, except that
the County is the employer for purposes of Florida Statutes section 440.10
(workers' compensation) and chapter 443 (unemployment), only.
SECTION TWO: COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The County agrees to reimburse the GAL at 100% of the actual cost of salary, as
well as for any and all payment of FICA taxes,withholding taxes, state and federal
unemployment taxes, and employer contribution to retirement benefits and
insurance benefits, not to exceed the amount budgeted for the position each fiscal
year. The maximum amount to be funded during the current term of this Agreement
is $68,444.00.
B. The County shall pro-:�ide payment under this Agreement on a case reimbursement
basis. Reimbursement shall be made monthly based on the GAL's submission and
the County's approval of a monthly invoice. Payment shall be made in accordance
with the Florida Local Government Prompt Payment Act. The GAL agrees to
provide the County with documentation of all costs represented on the invoice if
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requested and the County may require documentation of expenditures prior to
approval of the invoice,and may withhold payment if services are not satisfactorily
completed or the documentation is not satisfied. Any payment due or any approval
necessary under the terms of the Agreement may be withheld until all evaluation
and documentation expenditures from the GAL and necessary adjustments thereto
have been approved by the County. However, the County agrees to use due
diligence in approving and to proceed with a sense of urgency and priority in
making reimbursement to the GAL.
C. The County shall only reimburse those reimbursable expenses that are reviewed
and approved as complying with the Monroe County Code of Ordinances, state
laws and regulations, which are submitted in accordance with Attachment B,
Expense Reimbursement Requirements. Evidence of payment by the Statewide
Guardian ad Litem O_Tice or the local GAL office within the 16th Judicial Circuit
shall be in the form of a letter, summarizing expenses, with supporting
documentation attached. The letter should contain a notarized certification
statement. An example of a reimbursement request cover letter is included as
Attachment C.
D. After the Clerk of the Board examines and approves the request for reimbursement,
the Board shall reimburse the entity that submitted the request. The total of said
reimbursement expense payments shall not exceed the total amount authorized by
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners through the budgetary process.
E. Reimbursement by the County shall be made to the GAL at the following address:
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office
Financial Resources
P.O.Box 10628
Tallahassee,FL 32302
F. The payments from the County to the GAL made pursuant to this Agreement are
(i) sourced from inco:.ne of a revenue nature received from taxes and fees levied
by the County, a political subdivision to the State of Florida; (ii)are intended for
the exclusive use of the GAL; and(iii)pursuant to 215.22(2)F.S., are exempt
from the appropriation and service charge referenced in 215.20 F.S.
G. Persons funded under this Agreement may be terminated after a substantial breach
of the Agreement or because funding to the program has been expired.
SECTION THREE: PUBLIC RECORDS AND HOLD HARMLESS
A. All records and contracts required by this Agreement shall be available for audit,
inspection or copying during normal business hours and as often as the County
through their employees or agents may deem necessary and appropriate, except for
those records that are confidential and exempt from disclosure pursuant to Florida
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law.. Such records shall be maintained by the GAL in accordance with the State
reterition schedule. The County shall have the right to obtain and inspect any audit
pertaining to the performance of this Agreement as permitted by law.
B., 1he GAI., shall maintain at the Program office within the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
the complete and accurate records and supporting documentation of the work and/or
services provided by this position, as well as expenses, costs, invoices, and
materials provided and performed and chargeable by the GAL to the County..
C. The Statewide GAL Office is responsible for compliance with all requirements of
federal and state employment laws,and,to the extent set forth in F.S. 768.28, shall
fully defend,hold harmless and indernnif.y the County from,any liability under such
laws, as authorized by s. 76828(19), F.S., to the extent such liability is the result
of-the acts or omissions of the Statewide Guardian Ad Liter.Office or its agents or
employees, in but not limited to claims arising under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Acts of 1964; Title .1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 43 U.S.C.
§ 1983;the Family Medical Leave Act;the Fair Labor Standards Act;chapters 440,
443, 447 and 760, Florida Statutes-, Section 112.3187, F.S.; and the Age
Discrimination in Employ ment Act,as amended from time to time.
SECTION FOUR-. TER MIEFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall corn m.ence on January 31,2024 arid continue through June 30,2024.
At the conclusion of this term, the Parties may agree to renew this agreement for the
following fiscal year.. Any such agreementrequires the prior written consent of the:Board
of County Commissioners., Absent written agreement to continue the to of this
Agreement by July 1, 2024, this Agreement shall lapse and/or automatically terminate.
Continuation of this Agreernentis subject to ann..ual appropriation by the Board.
SECTION FIVE. BUDGET
Any and all funds provided by the County shall be used for the position described herein
and any unused portions of funds shall be returned to the County i.thin thirty (30)days of
the end of the state fiscal year 2023 .-2024,with an accounting summary to reflect how and
to what extentfunds were used.
SECTION SIX: PUBLIC RECORDS
The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and any related financial records, audits,
records, plans, correspondence, arid other documents related to this agreement may be
subject, to public disclosure pursuant to Chapter 119,Florida Statutes. In the event a party
fails to abide by the provisions of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, the other party, without
prejudice to any right or remedy,and after giving that party five(5)days written notice and
that party fails to allow access to such documents within that period, may terminate this
Agreement.,
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SECTION SEVEN: COMPLETE AGREEMENT
This document incorporates and includes all prior negotiations, correspondence,
conversations, agreements, or understandings applicable to the matters contained herein,
and the parties agree that there are no commitments, agreements, or understandings
concerning the subject matter of this Agreement that are not contained in this document.
Accordingly, it is agreed that no deviation from the terms hereof shall be predicated upon
any prior representations or agreements, whether oral or written.
It is further agreed that no modification,amendment,or alteration in the terms or conditions
contained herein shall be e0ective absent a written document executed by the Parties
hereto.
The foregoing sets forth the terms and conditions of the Agreement between the GAL and
the County. This Agreement takes effect on the date last signed below.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the Parties hereto have executed by signature their agreement
herewith as of the date last shown below.
APPROVED:
Attest: KEVIN MADOK,CLERK BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY,FLORIDA
BY -- _..-- ----._. _.._. µ
As Deputy Clerk By: Holly Merrill Raschein,Mayor
Date: Date:
Sy . TEWIDE 'UARDIAN AD LITEM
O'x ICE
L
-Wtt/
De is W Moore, Executive Director
Date: /fJJr/
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
Monroe County Attorney's Office 1-24-2024
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ATTACHMENT A
Job Description
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions
herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be
required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered
to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Job Title: Administrative Assistant 3
Department: Guardian Ad Litem Program
Pay Grade: 304
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
JOB SUMMARY
The primary function of this position is responsible work performing a variety of secretarial,
administrative support and clerical duties for the Circuit Director as well as assist other staff and
volunteers. The Administrative Assistant 3 works independently under the general supervision
and must exercise discretion with sensitive and confidential information.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
• Carries out assignments as instructed or uses own initiative to carry out assigned duties.
• Maintains calendar, schedules appointments and makes travel arrangements for Circuit
Director or personnel as deemed necessary.
• Operating office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and phone systems, and using
computers for spreadsheet, word processing, database management, and other
applications.
• Creates and maintains accurate contact lists.
• Composes correspondence for review and signature as well as reviewing work done by
others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensuring that program format is followed,
and recommending revisions.
• Maintain proper documentation on case activity. Ability to communicate effectively with
people from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds, and people involved in
emotionally distressing situations. Maintain confidentiality concerning sensitive
information.
• Assists with department budgets as needed.
• Assists with processing of invoices, purchase orders, and requests to purchase.
• Distributes paper and Electronic incoming and outgoing mail for the office as well as mailing
newsletters, promotional material and other information.
• Setting up and Maintain paper & electronic filing systems and volunteer and staff files for
records, correspondence, and other materials.
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Administrative Assistant 3 Page 2
• Establishing collaborative, customer focused,working relationships with all members of the
circuit wide GAL staff, and volunteers as well as with child welfare personnel, court
personnel, other County, State and local government personnel, and the general public.
• Scans documents/files into Optima and Alchemy.
• Maintains paper and electronic files, copies, scans documents; composes and responds to
emails; and transcribes minutes.
• Answers telephone and greets and assists the public.
• Maintains office stock supplies.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
• In the event of special,emergency,or disaster situations,employee may be required to work
schedules other than those for which they are regularly scheduled in any capacity deemed
appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
High School Diploma or GED. 2 to 3 years minimum of prior related work experience.
Special Qualifications:
None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to work from a general outline of duties and responsibilities; Other employees
assist in completing work. Knowledge of the rules of English Grammar, spelling and
punctuation and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of Office practices and procedures.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, Microsoft Office Products, and various types of
machinery(photocopiers, calculators,telephones, cell phones,fax machines, etc.) Ability
to utilize and effectively operate a personal computer, including using software programs
such as Word, Excel, Power point and Outlook.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and with people facing varying
degrees of stress and emotional instability.
• Ability to work patiently with the general public and to work effectively and cooperatively
with staff.
• Skilled in all forms of communication: public speaking, oral and written communication
as well as social media platforms.
• Ability to maintain proper documentation on recruiting activity.
• Ability to set up, organize and maintain a comprehensive filing system.
• Ability to maintain proper documentation on case activity.
• Ability to assist in the preparation of detailed court reports recommending a course of
action.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare detailed reports on the effectiveness of the program.
Guardian Ad Litem Program Updated:5/2/2023
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Administrative Assistant 3 Page 3
• Ability to make decisions that govern my activities as well as others.
• Knowledge of clerical or trades-based tasks.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is sedentary and requires exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or
negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move
objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or
crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing
exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like,
using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without
correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to
make the discrimination in sound.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally
from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use
of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers
rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive
processes.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the
ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately
and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those
activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other
workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and
analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive
reading.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or
moving from one work site to another.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Guardian Ad Litem Program Updated:5/2/2023
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Administrative Assistant 3 Page 4
Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires incumbent to be sensitive to change
and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
The Statewide Office of Guardian Ad Litem has the right to revise this job description at any
time.
This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
Employee Signature Date
Supervisor or Director Signature Date
Statewide Office of Guardian Ad Litem Signature Date
E.O.E. Employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability or
military service in employment or the provision of services.
Guardian Ad Litem Program Updated:5/2/2023
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ATTACHMENT B
Expense Reimbursement Requirements
This document is intended to provide basic guidelines to Human Service and
Community-Based Organizations, county travelers, and contractual parties who
have reimbursable expenses associated with Monroe County business. These
guidelines, as they relate to travel, are from the Monroe County Code of Ordinances
and State laws and regulations.
A cover letter (see Attachment B) summarizing the major line items on the
reimbursable expense request needs to also contain the following notarized certified
statement:
"I certify that the above checks have been submitted to the vendors as noted
and that the attached expenses are accurate and in agreement with the records of
this organization. Furthermore, these expenses are in compliance with this
organization's contract with the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
and will not be submitted for reimbursement to any other funding source."
Invoices should be billed to the contracting agency. Third party payments will not
be considered for reimbursement. Remember, the expense should be paid prior to
requesting a reimbursement.
Only current charges will be considered, no previous balances.
Reimbursement requests will be monitored in accordance with the level of detail in
the contract. This document should not be considered all-inclusive. The Clerk's
Finance Department reserves the right to review reimbursement requests on an
individual basis. Any questions regarding these guidelines should be directed to
305-292-3534.
Data Processing, PC Time, etc.
The vendor invoice is required for reimbursement. Inter-company allocations are
not considered reimbursable expenditures unless appropriate payroll journals for
the charging department are attached and certified.
Payroll
A certified statement verifying the accuracy and authenticity of the payroll expense
is needed. If a Payroll Journal is provided, it should include: dates, employee
name, salary or hourly rate, total hours worked, withholding information and
payroll taxes, check number and check amount. If a Payroll Journal is not
provided, the following information must be provided: pay period, check amount,
check number, date, payee, support for applicable payroll taxes.
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Postage, Overnight Deliveries, Courier, etc.
A log of all postage expenses as they relate to the County contract is required for
reimbursement. For overnight or express deliveries, the vendor invoice must be
included.
Rents, Leases, etc.
A copy of the rental or lease agreement is required. Deposits and advance
payments are not allowable expenses.
Reproductions, Copies, etc.
A log of copy expenses as they relate to the County contract is required for
reimbursement. The log must define the date, number of copies made, source
document, purpose, and recipient. A reasonable fee for copy expenses will be
allowable. For vendor services, the vendor invoice and a sample of the finished
product are required.
Supplies, Services, etc.
For supplies or services ordered, a vendor invoice is required.
Telefax, Fax, etc.
A fax log is required. The log must define the sender, the intended recipient, the
date, the number called, and the reason for sending the fax.
Telephone Expenses
A user log of pertinent information must be remitted including: the party called,
the caller, the telephone number, the date, and the purpose of the call.
Travel and Meal Expenses
Travel expenses must be submitted on a State of Florida Voucher for
Reimbursement of Travel Expenses. Travel reimbursement requests must be
submitted and will be paid in accordance with Monroe County Code of Ordinances
and State laws and regulations. Credit card statements are not acceptable
documentation for reimbursement. If attending a conference or meeting a copy of
the agenda is needed. Airfare reimbursement requires the original passenger
receipt portion of the airline ticket. A travel itinerary is appreciated to facilitate the
audit trail. Auto rental reimbursement requires the vendor invoice. Fuel purchases
should be documented with paid receipts. Taxis are not reimbursed if taken to
arrive at a departure point: for example, taking a taxi from one's residence to the
airport for a business trip is not reimbursable. Parking is considered a reimbursable
travel expense at the destination. Airport parking during a business trip is not.
A detailed list of charges is required on the lodging invoice. Balance due must be
zero. Room must be registered and paid for by traveler. The County will only
reimburse the actual room and related bed tax. Room service, movies, and
personal telephone calls are not allowable expenses.
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Mileage reimbursement shall be at the rate established by ARTICLE XXVI, TRAVEL,
PER DIEM, MEALS, AND MILEAGE POLICY of the Monroe County Code of
Ordinances. An odometer reading must be included on the state travel voucher for
vicinity travel. Mileage is not allowed from a residence or office to a point of
departure. For example, driving from one's home to the airport for a business trip
is not a reimbursable expense.
Meal reimbursement shall be at the rates established by ARTICLE XXVI, TRAVEL,
PER DIEM, MEALS, AND MILEAGE POLICY of the Monroe County Code of
Ordinances. Meal guidelines state that travel must begin prior to 6 a.m. for
breakfast reimbursement, before noon and end after 2 p.m. for lunch
reimbursement, and before 6 p.m. and end after 8 p.m. for dinner reimbursement.
Non-allowable Expenses
The following expenses are not allowable for reimbursement: capital outlay
expenditures (unless specifically included in the contract), contributions,
depreciation expenses (unless specifically included in the contract), entertainment
expenses, fundraising, non-sufficient check charges, penalties and fines.
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ATTACHMENT C
ORGANIZATION
LETTERHEAD
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Finance Department
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Date
The following is a summary of the expenses for (Organization name) for the time period
of to
Check # Payee Reason Amount
101 Company A Rent $ X,XXX.XX
102 Company B Utilities XXX.XX
104 Employee A P/R ending 05/14/01 XXX.XX
105 Employee B P/R ending 05/28/01 XXX.XX
(A) Total $ X.XXX.XX
(B) Total prior payments $ X,XXX.XX
(C) Total requested and paid (A + B) $ X,XXX.XX
(D) Total contract amount $ X,XXX.XX
Balance of contract (D-C) X.XXX.XX
I certify that the above checks have been submitted to the vendors as noted and that the
expenses are accurate and in agreement with the records of this organization.
Furthermore, these expenses are in compliance with this organization's contract with the
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and will not be submitted for
reimbursement to any other funding source.
Executive Director
Attachments (supporting documentation)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of 200
by who is personally known to me.
Notary Public Notary Stamp
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