Senate passes bill giving Florida sheriffs more independence and budget power

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation defining and outlining the independent rights of sheriffs, including sheriffs in a consolidated government, passed the Florida Senate Thursday.

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, sponsored SB 1704, which passed with a 25-12 vote.

Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, is the sponsor of a similar bill, HB 1447, which is headed to the House floor for consideration Friday.

The bill covers all sheriffs including those in a consolidated government – in which a county and municipality consolidate their local governments into one entity.

Both Yarborough and Duggan represent Jacksonville, which is currently the only consolidated government in Florida.

Because of this, Jacksonville has one combined voting body of elected officials who approve of the city and county budget. The government includes Democratic Mayor Donna Deegan and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, a Republican, along with a GOP-controlled council.

The bill clarifies that sheriffs, including those in consolidated government, may move approved funds between different sub-categories of their budget without further approval.

The bill also describes how the purchase and procurement of supplies, equipment and personnel falls under the independent responsibility of the sheriffs.