Resolution 082-1994
RESOLUTION NO. 082 -1994
A resolution supporting the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
Division of Florida Highway Patrol,
Budget Initiative, fiscal year 1994/95.
WHEREAS, the Division of Florida Highway, Patrol (FHP),
has statutory responsibility for t,he investigation of
t r a f f i c c r ash e s , ass is t i ng d is. a b led -, mot 0 r i s t s ,
investigating incidents of highway criminal violence,
investigating auto theft/motor vehicle title fraud and
driver license fraud, seizing contraband transported on
Florida's highways, apprehending felons and wanted persons,
and providing a quality level' of preventative patrol
activity and
WHEREAS, FHP, clearly has the responsibility for
ensuring the safety of the motoring public which requires
immediate response to any incidents or other calls for
service occurring on the highways of Florida, and
WHEREAS, the current, level of staffing for FHP is
fifty-nine percent of its total need which i:ssimpJ:.p n~'
adequate to fulfill its statutory requireme~s::andAmor.a-1
obligation to the citizens of Florida, and ~.c2" ::;:: ~
". ~ '"
WHEREAS, the escalating incidents of 'ii.:olent I crim,:e
occurring on Florida's highways and the neqa~~-puMicit~
associated with them have added a new dimen:sfon 'tt:P t;~
crime and economic problems facing Florida, an4;'" r:: g
:::~:: k ?:
WHEREAS, the violent crime that terrorizes t~e
citizens and tourists of Florida primarily occurs while the
citizens and visitors are in vehicles upon the roadways of
the state, and
WHEREAS, during 1992, 2,456 motorists died in traffic
traffic crashes on Florida's roadways. The death rate for
1993 has increased by 12 percent to-date when compared to
the same period for 1992. This increase represents 200
actual deaths, and
WHEREAS, staffing shortages have left 19 rural
counties without 24-hour coverage by troopers, and
WHEREAS, compounding the severe staffing problem is
the phenomenal increases in Florida's motoring environment
(population, tourists, registered vehicles and vehicle
miles travelled). It is projected that by the year 2000,
Florida will have almost 15 million licensed drivers, a
growth of almost 31 percent since 1990, and
WHEREAS, FHP needs 777 additional trooper positions to
provide adequate patrol services to provide protection and
assistance to all Florida motorists, and
WHEREAS, the dedication and devo~ion to' duty of the
members of FHP is evident in that 19 troopers have died in
the line of duty since 1976, protecting the citizens of
Florida, and
WHEREAS, a salary comparison survey of 'the ten most
populated states has determined that FHP troopers rank last
in starting salary, and
WHEREAS, a salary comparison survey,of 15 major law
enforcement agencies in Florida has determined that FHP
troopers rank last in beginning salary, and
WHEREAS, the co'st, for recruiting, screening and
training a new trooper is in excess of $50,000, and
WHEREAS, during the past six years 480 of
trained troopers left FHP, 218 resigning for
career enhancement, with most going to
enforcement agencies with higher salaries
benefits.
these highly
purposes of
other law
and better
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that-Monroe County does
hereby commend the Florida Highway Patrol for their valiant
efforts to protect the citizens and tourist$ of Florida
from the criminal element of our society, from the tragic
consequences of highway traffic crashes, and for assistance
to the motoring public throughout the state on a daily
basis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Monroe County does hereby
endorse the Florida Highway Patrol's Budget Request for
fiscal year 1994/95, and urge the 1994 Session of the
Florida Legislature to approve the Request in the 1994/95
State Budget.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board is
hereby requested to forward certified copies of this Resolution
to The Honorable Lawton Chiles, Governor of Florida; The
Honorable Pat Thomas, President of the Senate; and The Honorable
Bolly L. "Bo" Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
as a vote of confidence and support for the Florida Highway
Patrol's Budget Request.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of the Board held on
the 16th day of February, A.D. 1994.
Mayor London yes
Mayor Pro Tem Cheal yes
Commissioner Freeman yes
Commissioner Harvey yes
Commissioner Reich yes
(SEAL)
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BYlLw C. ~
Deputy r
By
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY, FLORIDA
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