TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training Between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida.
• Pros: This Amendment provides clearer guidance and standardized procedures for determining and managing Commercial Driver License (CDL) training costs. While the Amendment includes a cost increase, the revised rate remains below private training costs. The increase is driven by State-level changes to CDL training requirements, which have raised the standards and administrative obligations for program delivery. These adjustments help support continued transparency, predictability, and affordability, while also enhancing recruitment and retention efforts by keeping training accessible.
The Amendment establishes a more efficient dispute resolution process. The School Board removed Section 7 language: “the matter shall be referred to the respective Commission/Board, who must hold a joint meeting to resolve the matter.” Recent updates to Chapter 164, Florida Statutes, make the governmental conflict resolution process a mandatory first step for resolving disputes between local and regional government entities prior to any litigation.
• Cons: Increases the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) CDL State Testing fee by $50 per employee for CDL Class B and CDL Class C programs. CDL Class A costs remain unchanged.
Option 2: Deny First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida.
• Pros: This option would eliminate program costs entirely, providing immediate budget savings and avoiding ongoing administrative or contractual obligations.
• Cons: Discontinuing the program would remove a valuable training resource for City employees required to obtain their CDL certification, potentially create operational gaps if Commercial Driving License drivers are needed, and could increase costs through outsourcing or delays in an employee obtaining their Commercial Driver License. Additionally, ending the program would terminate the established partnership with the School District, which could be difficult to reestablish in the future.
Background Information
The original Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License (CDL) Training was approved by the City Commission on September 12, 2023. Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) provides CDL Class A, B, and C training that complies with Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requirements. CCPS is a registered provider under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Training Provider Registry and is an authorized FLHSMV testing site. The program offers cost-effective, standardized training critical to meeting the City’s operational needs for licensed commercial vehicle drivers.
The proposed First Amendment updates the cost structure for CDL Class B and CDL Class C testing fee. The changes reflect state-level increases in CDL testing requirements. Under the amendment, the cost for Class B and C testing fee increases by $50 per employee from $250 to $300, while Class A costs remain unchanged. Even with the increase, the program continues to offer rates below private-sector training providers. The cost of training for CDL Class A/B/C remains unchanged at $1,500 per employee.
Additionally, the amendment removes outdated dispute-resolution language in Section 7 that required matters to be referred to the respective Commission/Board to hold a joint meeting. Recent statutory updates to Chapter 164, Florida Statutes, establish a mandatory governmental conflict-resolution process for disputes between local and regional governments. Because this statutory framework already mandates the sequence of required meetings (including joint public meetings), the original agreement language is redundant and may create procedural inconsistencies. Removing it ensures alignment with current legal requirements.
The First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida, has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Commercial Driver License Training between Charlotte County Public Schools and the City of North Port, Florida, was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on December 29, 2025, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
$1,800 per employee, a $50 increase for CDL Class B & Class C, inclusive of initial testing. No financial impact for a CDL Class A. The cost of the employee will be funded by the employee’s respective Department’s budget.
Procurement
The Interlocal Agreement is in accordance with Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section 2-403 Exemptions (a) (2) Procurement Contracts between City and nonprofit organizations, other governments, or other public entities in accordance with the City of North Port Procurement Code.
Attachments:
1. First Amendment
2. Interlocal Agreement
Prepared by: Sandy Knowles, Assistant Director of Human Resources
Department Director: Christine McDade, Director of Human Resources