TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ALLOW PROCEEDS FROM THE EXISTING $5 SURCHARGE ON CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING ANIMAL CONTROL AND CRUELTY ORDINANCES TO BE USED FOR ANIMAL SHELTER OPERATING EXPENSES

BODY
WHEREAS, section 828.27, Florida Statutes, currently authorizes counties and municipalities to impose a $5 surcharge on civil penalties for animal control and cruelty ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the statute currently requires the proceeds from this existing $5 surcharge to be used solely to pay the costs of training for animal control officers; and
WHEREAS, city and county animal services departments have come under increasing budget pressures in recent years; and
WHEREAS, expanding the uses of the existing $5 surcharge so that it could be used for shelter operating expenses in addition to training of animal control officers and other enforcement related duties, can greatly assist city and county animal control departments in carrying out their mission,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to allow proceeds from the existing $5�surcharge on civil penalties for violating animal control and cruelty ordinances to be used for animal shelter operating expenses in addition to training of animal control officers and other enforcement related duties.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation, and the Executive Directors of the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs that the 2011 State Legislative Package be amended to include this item.