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, Amending the Non-District Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for Use of State of Florida Contraband Forfeiture Funds In the Amount of $55,000; Providing for Findings; Providing for Posting; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-18 as presented and move to second reading on June 23, 2026.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-18 as presented and move to second reading on June 23, 2026.
• Pros: Supports community-based programs and crime prevention initiatives, helping the City meet statutory requirements while strengthening partnerships with local organizations and enhancing public safety efforts.
• Cons: Funds currently available in fund balance will not be available for other uses.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance No. 2026-18 as presented.
• Pros: Funds planned for use could be utilized for other future programs or initiatives.
• Cons: Risks non-compliance with statutory requirements to allocate a portion of funds toward community programs and may reduce support for local prevention and outreach initiatives.
Background Information
The North Port Police Department is requesting expenditure of forfeiture funds allocated to their Department during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, in the amount of $55,000. As stipulated in the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, the City is required to adhere to specific guidelines regarding how these funds may be utilized.
Pursuant to the Act, expenditures above $15,000 involve a critical obligation and a minimum of 25% of the funds must support or operate programs related to drug treatment, drug abuse education, drug prevention, crime prevention, safe neighborhoods, or School Resource Officer Programs. The local law enforcement agency has the discretion to determine which programs will receive the designated proceeds.
The North Port Police Department proposes expanding and/or donating forty-three thousand dollars ($43,000.00) as follows.
|
Safe Neighborhood/Crime Prevention/National Night Out (Community Shirts) |
$26,000.00 |
|
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Cash Donation) |
$ 2,500.00 |
|
Teen Court of Sarasota (Cash Donation) |
$ 5,000.00 |
|
Drug Free Youth Program (D-Fy) (Cash Donation) |
$ 2,500.00 |
|
Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse (Cash Donation) |
$ 2,000.00 |
|
Citizens Public Safety Academy (Cash Donation) |
$ 5,000.00 |
For the remaining funds, the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act stipulates that upon approval from the Chief of Police, the resources can be allocated toward the procurement of new equipment to enhance capacity in providing for a safe community. Importantly, it should be noted that these funds cannot be utilized for routine operational expenses or the replacement of existing equipment. The North Port Police Department has requested that the remaining $12,000 be allocated for the purchase of law enforcement E-bikes and associated equipment and training to enhance enforcement and public safety operations.
Ordinance No. 2026-18 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
$55,000 will be appropriated from available fund balance in the Forfeiture Fund (105) for requested expenses and donations by the North Port Police Department as outlined in Resolution No. 2026-R-27. Funds will be allocated as follows:
|
105-2100-521.48-00 |
Promotional Activities |
$26,000 |
|
105-2100-521.49-13 |
Community Assistance |
$17,000 |
|
105-2100-521.52-50 |
Minor Operating Equipment |
$12,000 |
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2026-18
2. Fund Balance Report
Prepared by: Nickie Brown, Budget Analyst
Department Director: Irina Kukharenko, CPA, Finance Director