TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Providing for Use of Speed Detection Systems in School Zones, Designating Local Hearing Officers to Conduct Hearings on Contested Violations and Determining School Zones Where Speed Detection Systems Will be Placed; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, by Adding Section 74-31; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Continue Ordinance 2025-19 to second reading on September 23, 2025, as presented.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Continue Ordinance 2025-19 to second reading on September 23, 2025, as presented.
• Pros: Moves the project forward on schedule for the second reading to be permitted to contract with an approved company for speed detection systems to address excessive speed through school zones in the City.
• Cons: The negative perception from the community for implementing a speed detection system.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance 2025-19 as presented.
• Pros: Stops the ability of the Police Department to contract with an approved company for speed detection systems to address excessive speed through school zones in the City.
• Cons: Will stop the potential for the Police Department to contract with an approved company for speed detection systems to address excessive speed through school zones in the City.
Option 3: Continue Ordinance 2025-19 to second reading on a date to be determined including changes.
• Pros: Provides staff time to make changes to the Ordinance as directed by Commission before second reading.
• Cons: Delays the ability of the Police Department to contract with an approved company for speed detection systems to address excessive speed through school zones in the City.
Background Information
Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, and Article VIII of the Florida Constitution states the legislative body of each municipality is vested with the authority to enact ordinances necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents. House Bill 657 (MB 657), as codified under Chapter 2023-174 of the Laws of Florida, authorizes municipalities to use speed detection systems in accordance with certain technical specifications established by the Florida Department of Transportation to enforce the speed limit in a school zone at specified periods.
Prior to utilizing speed detection systems to enforce eligible school zone speeding violations within its jurisdiction, municipalities are required to adopt an ordinance authorizing the placement and installation of speed detection systems and creating administrative and enforcement procedures for the use of speed detection systems at designated school zones. Based upon the relevant traffic data and other evidence presented, the City of North Port, Florida, has determined that each school zone where a speed detection system is to be placed or installed constitutes a heightened safety risk that warrants additional enforcement measures.
Ordinance No. 2025-19 serves the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of North Port, Florida.
Ordinance No. 2025-19 has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2025-19
2. House Bill (2023)
Prepared by: Christopher Morales, Deputy Chief of Police
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police