Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 092819

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 092819

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-1185-09

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL FOR FISCAL YR 2009-10

Introduced: 10/15/2009

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 10/6/2009

Agenda Date: 10/6/2009

Agenda Item Number: 11A21

Notes:

THIS IS FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED. ALSO SEE 092652.

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO IDENTIFY LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO $450,000 TO FUND THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-10 AND TO REPORT FINDINGS TO THE BOARD [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 092652]

Indexes:

INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL

Sponsors:	Barbara J. Jordan, Prime Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	10/15/2009		Assigned	Geri Bonzon-Keenan

Board of County Commissioners	10/6/2009	11A21 Amended	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Jordan, sponsor, provided an overview of the foregoing proposed resolution to identify funds in an amount equal to $450,000 to fund the Independent Review Panel (IRP) which would include four budgeted positions for FY 2009-10. She noted funding alternatives may include use of the Countywide Contingency Reserve as well as any other available fund which the Mayor deemed appropriate. Commissioner Sorenson suggested a funding source be expeditiously identified to assist preventing employee layoffs. County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said over 600 termination notices had been distributed. He noted that a funding source would be identified if directed by the County Commission. Commissioner Sorenson noted her support for the IRP; however, said that employees would be taking an unpaid furlough should this item require 30 days to resolve. She said that reallocating funding to the IRP would affect the jobs of other employees. Commissioner Seijas indicated the structure might be top heavy and functions could possibly be served by secretaries or investigators. Assistant County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan responded to Commissioner Seijas’ inquiry that the IRP could be placed under the Office of the Chair. Commissioner Seijas said she supported the placement of additional departments under the Office of the Chair. She noted an IRP structure modification that would make it more feasible and less expensive would be an alternative. Commissioner Seijas said she would like to review IRP employee salaries. Mayor Alvarez said the IRP was an independent board which did not report to the Mayor. He clarified that the $450,000 IRP funding would be restored and taken from other budgeted accounts upon the County Commission’s direction. Commissioner Seijas indicated that she would follow Commissioner Jordan’s lead. Commissioner Sosa noted support for Commissioner Jordan’s IRP restoration request. Ms. Jennifer Glazer-Moon, Budget Director, responded to Commissioner Sosa’s request pertaining to IRP staffing. She noted that the FY 2009-10 proposal did not include any IRP funding and four positions would be considered should there be a restoration. Commissioner Sosa noted the IRP had travel expenses and contractual employee salaries included in their budget. She asked for a review of every line item in the IRP’s operating budget to identify any potential savings. Commissioner Rolle indicated support for directing Administration to identify IRP funding; however, noted caution over potential CBO failures as a result of funding reductions due to the established millage rate. In response to Commissioner Gimenez’ request for clarification as to the intent of this resolution, Commissioner Jordan responded that it directed the Mayor and Manager to review options including the Contingency Reserve Fund and to return within 30 days with alternatives to be considered by the County Commission. Commissioner Barreiro suggested that the County Commission consider the recommendation that the IRP be transferred to the Office of the Chair when the resolution was submitted for reconsideration. Commissioner Jordan concurred with conducting a study of the IRP and addressing whether the IRP should be should be transferred to the Office of the Chair. Commissioner Souto noted there were more important funding needs and he would not support this resolution. There being no further discussion, the County Commission adopted the foregoing proposed resolution as amended to include conducting a study and recommending whether the IRP should be transferred to the Office of the Chair.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO IDENTIFY LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO $450,000 TO FUND THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-10 AND TO REPORT FINDINGS TO THE BOARD

BODY
WHEREAS, the Independent Review Panel (the �IRP�) was created by this Board in 1980 as an impartial review panel to conduct independent reviews and hold public hearings concerning serious complaints or grievances made against employees, agencies and instrumentalities of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, as part of the County�s adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2009-10, no monies were appropriated to the IRP; thereby eliminating this function for such fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of the IRP to this community, this Board wishes to direct the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee to identify legally available funds in an amount equal to $450,000 to fund the IRP, including four budgeted positions, for Fiscal Year 2009-10,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated in this resolution and are approved.
Section 2. This Board hereby directs the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee to identify legally available funds in an amount equal to $450,000 to fund the IRP, including four budgeted positions, for Fiscal Year 2009-10. The funding alternatives may include use of the Countywide Contingency Reserve Fund, as well as any other available funds. In addition, the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee shall study and recommend whether support of the IRP shall be provided by the Office of the Chair of the County Commission. A report detailing such funding alternatives and recommendation regarding support of the IRP shall be prepared and presented to the Board within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this resolution.