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Martin County

File #: 25-0506   
Type: Public Hearing Status: Passed
In control: Board of County Commissioners
On agenda: 1/14/2025 Final action: 1/14/2025
Title: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111, BY CREATING ARTICLE 8 REGARDING REGISTRATION FEES FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS, SEXUAL PREDATORS, CONVICTED FELONS, AND CAREER OFFENDERS AND A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE REGISTRATION FEES
Attachments: 1. Resolution of Fees.pdf, 2. Business Impact Estimate_Sex Offender Fees.pdf, 3. Ordinance Registration Fees final.pdf

PLACEMENT: Public Hearings

TITLE:

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PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111, BY CREATING ARTICLE 8 REGARDING REGISTRATION FEES FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS, SEXUAL PREDATORS, CONVICTED FELONS, AND CAREER OFFENDERS AND A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE REGISTRATION FEES

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

executive summary

Amending Chapter 111, Miscellaneous Provisions, by creating Article 8, Registration of Sexual Offenders, Sexual Predators, Convicted Felons, and Career Felons, Section 111.160 - Definitions and Section 111.161 - Registration Fees for Sexual Offenders, Sexual Predators, Convicted Felons, and Career Offenders of the General Ordinances, of the Martin County Code, to offset the costs imposed upon the Sheriff’s Office in complying with statutory registration obligations. Further, to adopt a Resolution establishing the registration fees.

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DEPARTMENT: County Attorney                     

PREPARED BY:                      Name: Melissa L. Pietrzyk                     

                     Title:                     Senior Assistant County Attorney                     

REQUESTED BY: Martin County Sheriff’s Office                                          

 

PRESET:     

PROCEDURES: None                     

 

BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:

 

In 2024, there were over 400 individuals who, because they were either a sexual offender, a sexual predator, a convicted felon, or a career offender, were required to register with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in accordance with Chapters 943, 944, and 775, Florida Statutes. While some individuals require yearly registration, others require quarterly registration. In addition to required registration, certain individuals must promptly notify the Sheriff’s Office of any changes of address, employment, email addresses, and other personal identifying information. These registrations often require law enforcement to physically verify address locations and confirm all other necessary registered information. The Sheriff’s Office is also required to issue notifications to the community and to schools when sexual predators are registered and may also issue community notification for certain career offenders. These tasks of registering, verifying, maintaining, and publishing this information requires time, money, and resources. This ordinance seeks to have the registered individual pay a registration fee which will offset some of the costs imposed upon the Sheriff.

 

ISSUES:

 

The Ordinance provides for the implementation of the fees upon a registrant to allow the Sheriff’s Office to recoup some of the funds it expends to comply with the statutory registration obligations. The Resolution sets forth the fees to be imposed.

 

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:

 

This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

 

RECOMMENDATION

Move that the Board approve the proposed ordinance which amends Chapter 111 Miscellaneous Provisions, by creating Article 8 Registration of Sexual Offenders, Sexual Predators, Convicted Felons, and Career Felons, Section 111.160, Definitions, and Section 111.161 Registration Fees for Sexual Offenders, Sexual Predators, Convicted Felons, and Career Offenders, General Ordinances, Martin County Code and approve a Resolution to adopt the schedule of registration fees for sexual offenders, sexual predators, convicted felons, and career offenders.

 

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Direct staff accordingly.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

RECOMMENDATION

None

                     

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

None

 

DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:

Budget Transfer / Amendment                      Chair Letter                                                               Contract / Agreement

Grant / Application                                          Notice          Ordinance                     Resolution

Other:     

This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.