TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City of North Port, Florida, Approving the Expenditure of $236,855.00 in Forfeiture Funds; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Approve Resolution No. 2023-R-04 as presented.
Background Information
The City of North Port sold a seized house that was used in violation of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act by being used as a marijuana grow house.
Pursuant to Florida Statute ?932.7055(5)(c)(3), any law enforcement agency that acquires at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act within a fiscal year must expend or donate no less than 25 percent of the proceeds for the support or operation of any drug treatment, drug abuse education, drug prevention, crime prevention, safe neighborhood, or school resource officer program or programs. The local law enforcement agency has the discretion to determine which program or programs will receive the designated proceeds.
To meet the statutory requirement, the North Port Police Department proposes expending and/or donating fifty-nine thousand two hundred fourteen dollars ($59,214.00) as follows:
FBINAA Retrainer - cash donation
$2,000.00
Crime Prevention - purchase of items to support the approved causes listed above
$35,046.00
Child Protection Services - cash donation
$10,000.00
Teen Court - cash donation
$10,000.00
Drug Bin - purchase of an item to support the approved causes listed above
$2,168.00
In compliance with Florida Statute ?932.7055(5)(a), the remaining one hundred seventy-seven thousand six hundred forty-one dollars ($177,641.00) will be used for new and additional law enforcement equipment and will not be used to meet normal operating expenses of the North Port Police Department.
Resolution No. 2023-R-04 has been reviewed...
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