TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD) Regarding Participating in a Specialized Law Enforcement Program, Including Any Applicable Fees.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD) regarding participating in a specialized law enforcement program, including any appliable fees.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD), regarding participation in a specialized law enforcement program.
• Pros: Approval will allow NPPD to continue participating in the FDLE program and utilize the resources and processes established by FDLE for authorized law enforcement operations. The MOU also establishes procedures, safeguards, and compliance requirements governing participation in the program.
• Cons: Approval will require ongoing administrative, recordkeeping, monitoring, and compliance responsibilities associated with participation in the program, as well as applicable costs for newly assigned members.
Option 2: Deny the approval and authorization of the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD), regarding participation in a specialized law enforcement program.
• Pros: Denial would avoid the administrative, recordkeeping, monitoring, and compliance responsibilities associated with participation in the FDLE program, as well as any applicable costs associated with newly assigned members.
• Cons: Denial would prevent NPPD from participating in the FDLE program and could limit the Department's ability to utilize resources and processes available through the program for authorized law enforcement operations.
Background Information
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD), establishes NPPD’s continued participation in a specialized FDLE law enforcement program supporting authorized operations.
The MOU establishes requirements and procedures related to the administration, use, monitoring, and deactivation of program resources. There is no additional fee for currently participating members. A one-time fee is anticipated for the addition of one newly assigned member this year. The MOU is not included as an attachment to the agenda item due to Florida State Statutes Section 119.0725.
Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD) regarding participating in a specialized law enforcement program, including any appliable fees, has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department (NPPD) regarding participating in a specialized law enforcement program, including any appliable fees, was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on September 28, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Funds are budgeted in account number 001-2101-521.35-00, for the applicable fees.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Not applicable.
Prepared by: Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Jeff Pasler, Commander, Investigations Bureau
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police