PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONER HEARD'S LEGAL FEES FROM CASE NUMBER 2017-MM-3744
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Commissioner Sarah Heard faced charges for alleged violations of Florida's public records laws in connection with the performance of her duties as a County Commissioner. Commissioner Heard was acquitted of all charges on April 12, 2019. Pursuant to Board direction, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller has had Commissioner Heard's legal fees reviewed by an independent criminal defense attorney and is expected to receive a recommendation to pay a portion of those fees.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Taryn G. Kryzda
Title: County Administrator
REQUESTED BY: Carolyn Timmann, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
On June 18, 2019 the County Administrator (Administrator) brought an item to the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to discuss payment of the legal defense expenses that were incurred by Commissioner Heard in Case No. 2017-MM-3744. The Board directed staff and the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (Clerk of Court) to have the Clerk of Court perform an evaluation of Kibbey-Wagner's demand for payment of Commissioner Heard's legal fees. The Board asked that the Clerk of Court have the invoice and detail of expenditures as submitted by the Kibbey-Wagner firm audited to determine if what had been submitted for payment was determined to be reasonable and necessary. The Clerk of Court hired an attorney, Mr. Robert Morris a Brooksville, Fla. attorney, to audit the invoice and to provide a recommendation regarding payment.
At the time this Agenda Item was created, Mr. Morris' final report and recommendations had not been received by the Clerk of Court. To expedite payment of the legal fees incurred by Commissioner Heard, this Agenda Item was prepared. Once Mr. Morris has submitted his recom...
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