Clerks Continue Effort to Clarify Role as County Auditor
Legislation to clarify the Clerk & Comptroller’s constitutional and historical role as the independent county auditor of public tax dollars gained support during the 2008 session of the Florida Legislature. This year, state lawmakers considered legislation (H.B. 399 and S.B. 640) which was initiated by the Florida Association of Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FACC) after a 2007 Collier County court ruling that posed a statewide challenge to a Clerk’s constitutional authority to ensure county taxpayer money is spent properly.
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What’s Next?
Though the legislature ran out of time to consider the legislation, failing to pass both bills in the final days of session, the bills received significant support and attention from legislators in both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. In fact, more than 18 co-sponsors—including Representatives Carl Domino, R-Jupiter, and Mary Brandenburg, D-Lake Worth—emerged as key supporters of the bills. Additionally, bill sponsors have already been secured to re-file the legislation in 2009.
Clerk Bock remains committed to clarifying her office’s role as the watchdog of county funds and fulfilling the organization’s mission to protect, preserve and maintain the public records and public funds with integrity and accountability.
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For additional information about the legislation and lawsuit, click here or visit “Get the Facts” at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com.