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88 verbatim mandatory provisions from AO 2022-002.
Third Judicial Circuit (Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor). Check the order's own effective and rescission dates before relying on it. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from the order's own text layer, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. No OCR. Only sentences carrying mandatory language are reproduced — the full order is in custody and is the controlling text. • WHEREAS, certain misdemeanor defendants are sentenced to terms of probation by the Columbia County Court (hereinafter referred to as the "Court"): and WHEREAS, Section 948.09, Florida Statutes, states that supervision, rehabilitation and probation services may be provided by a Court-approved private entity; and WHEREAS, Section 948.15, Fl orida Statutes, provides that any private entity providing services for the supervision of misdemeanor probationers must cont ra ct with the County in which the services are to be rendered, prescribing the terms of such contract; and WHEREAS, the Court seeks a private entity to provide certain probation services for the efficient administration of justice wi th in this county; • PPS shall provide misdemeanor probation services as required by this agreement; these services shall include the following: a. • PPS shall employ and train competent staff to work closely with the Court in the provision of services. • Applicants must meet minimum qualifications for the position applied for, complete pre- employment paperwork, and undergo a background investigation . • Selected candidates must be finger printed and submit to a drug screening at their own expense. • All professional staff must have a valid Florida drive r' s license, a residence telephone and be willing to work irregular hours. c. • PPS staff shall be present when court is convened to provide any assistance the Court may require and to perform initial intake services of persons placed on misdemeanor probation under PPS supervision. d. • PPS shall employ the professional staff and clerical support necessary to properly manage an overall offender caseload. • PPS shall schedule office hours in order to accommodate -- 3 of 20 -- probationers' work days insofar as is possible. f. • PPS shall require probationers to make at least one monthly office visit for counseling and supervision, unless waived by the Court. • Major emphasis shall be placed on any court-ordered special conditions of probation, including payment of victim restitution, fines and court costs; substance abuse monitoring and/or treatment, and performance of community service. h. • PPS shall receive, receipt for and deposit into a Trust Account, all offender payments toward court-ordered fines, costs, and restitution . • When collections total the full assessment, checks made payable to the Clerk of the Court or other appropriate payee, as designated by the Court, shall be disbursed on a bi-monthly basis. • Offender cost of supervision fees shall be receipted for in a similar manner and deposited into an operating account. i. • PPS shall provide services to all offenders referred to it for supervision, irrespective of the individual's ab ility to pay cost of supervision -- 4 of 20 -- fees. • PPS shall provide misdemeanor probation services as required by this agreement. • Special assistance and direction will be provided to those probationers with suspended driver's licenses who are required to obtained valid licenses. d. • PPS shall provide assistance to probationers in the establ ishment of a financial plan for the payment of required fines and/or restitution, as the case -- 5 of 20 -- requires. • The initial term of this contract shall begin effective June 15 th, 2022 and continue for a three (3) year term. • Either party seeking to cancel the Contract for just cause shall first advise the other party in writing of deficiencies allowing a reasonable time not to exceed ninety (90) days to bring the program into compliance or correct any alleged deficiencies. • All such records shall be open to inspection upon the request of the Court, the Auditor General of the State of Florida, or agents thereof. • PPS case file shall be made available for review by the Court. • PPS shall submit a quarterly report to the County Court Judge summarizing the activities of all probationers under its supervision, to include caseload movement during the period dr iven by new case referrals, transfers, violations, successful completions, and unsuccessful terminations. • All policies of insurance shall name the County as an additional insured wit h respect to the performance of this Agreement, and PPS shall, prior to this -- 8 of 20 -- Agreement being effective, furnish the County with a Certificate of such insurance. • The auditing firm will be engaged by and at the expense of PPS and shall be furnished to the Court and to Columbia County upon its completion no later than ninety (90) days after the close of the County's fiscal year. • (That is on or before December 31 each year.) The failure of PPS to furnish the County with the independent audit provided herein, shall constitute non-compliance by PPS. • The County, its authorized agent, the Clerk of the Circuit Court or an agent designated by the County, shall have the authority to inspect the financial records of PPS at any time, without prior notice. • PPS shall be liable, and agrees to be liable for, and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County from any claims and against any attorney's fees arising out of intentional acts, negligence, or omissions by PPS, or its employees.or agents, in the course of the performance of this Contract. • This agreement and performance hereunder and all suits and special proceedings hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. • Venue as to any legal proceedings shall be in Columbia County, Florida. • In the event of a default by either of the parties to this agreement, the non- Defaulting party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs Incurred in the enforcement of its rights under this Contract. • If any provisions, or any portion thereof, contained in this agreement is held unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this agreement, or portion thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect. -- 10 of 20 -- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the County has executed and signed this Agreement and PPS has signed and executed this agreement, as attested and set forth below. • Programs & Services The needs of each offender referred to the Contractor by the Court shall be evaluated by the Contractor. • The following programs and services shall be provided and administered by t he Contractor: • Offenders entering the program are supervi sed to ensure completion of their personalized contractual ag reement, which include (at a minimum) a custom-tailored treatment plan, law-abiding behavior, and payment of restitution. • Drug Testing Laboratory Se rvices as directed/ ordered by the Court; • Offenders court-ordered to misdemeanor probation must adhere to the conditions as imposed by the Court, such as classes, counseling, community service, educational programs, statutorily required fees and other costs as imposed by the Court. • The Contractor shall cooperate wi th all treatment agencies, schools, and other programs to which offenders are referred. • In any case where a treatme nt provider, school, or other program does not appear to be providing its proper fu nction, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Court. • The Contractor shall observe and comply with all Administrative Orders of the County Court in and for Columbia County Misdemeanor Probation Services provided her ein. • The Contractor shall provide monthly and annual reports and other statistical reports as required by the BOCC and the Court. • The Contractor shall provide the County and the Cou rt w i th a quarterly report summarizing the number of offenders supervised by the Contractor, payment of the required contribution under supervision or rehabilitation, and the number of offenders for whom su pervision or rehabilitation will be terminated. • All records must be open to inspection upon request by the County, the Court, the Clerk of Court, or agents thereof . • Records Contractor shall at all times, comply with the Florida Public Records La w, the Florida Open Meeting Law and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations of the State of Florida. • All records must be maintained in compliance with applicable Florida Statutes, including but not limited to Chapter 119 and Chapter 948, and with Florida Administrative Code provisions with respect to maintaining public record s and retaining and destruction of public records, including electronic reco r ds and soci al media. • Offices The Contractor shall maintain at least one office within Columbia County (see further comments in this section). • The facility must be compl i ant with the Americans wi th Disabilities Act. • The Contractor shall operate to receive offenders Monday - Friday -- 14 of 20 -- RFQ 2022-K Misdemeanor Supervision Services (excluding holidays). • The Contractor shall notify the offenders of its hours of operation. • Job Assistance The Contractor shall encourage unemployed offenders to improve their employability through schools and training. • The Contractor shall refer all offenders to services/programs with the goal of securing suitable and stable employment. • Special Conditions The Contractor shall follow up and enforce special conditions of probation including, but not limited to: • Resti tution • Fines and Court Cost • Eva luati on and treatment programs • Community services • Cost of supervision fees, programs fees or fees for service • Procurement of licenses • Court ordered classes and/or court ordered obligations (i.e., impoundment, drug testing) The Contractor shall place priority on payment of restitution. • Limited English Proficiency The Contractor shall have a plan for communicating wi th offenders with limited English proficiency to ensure understanding and meeting the terms of their court ordered requirements. • The Contractor shall clearly explain all of the court ordered terms to th e offender in a manner that is understandable. • The Contractor shall ensure t ha t substance abuse evaluations of offenders ordered by the Court or under agreement by County Judge are conducted in accordance with the Court Order. • Change in Orders Proposed orders of probation violations, modifications, and ea rly terminatio ns shall be prepared by the Contractor and shall conform to a format adopted by the Court. • Community Service Hours The Contractor shall utilize governmental and nonprofit agenci es and churches when scheduling offenders to perform community service hours ordered by the Cou rt. • The Contractor shall utili ze governmental and nonprofit agencies in addition to churches, in which there is a written agreement regulating the supervision of offenders performing community servi ce hours. • The Contractor shall verify and report compliance and noncompliance of court ordered or agreed upon community service hours to the County Judge. • Violations of Probation When violations of any terms/conditions are alleged to have occurred, the Contractor shall advise the sentencing Court of the all eged violation(s) by sworn affidavit as it becomes known to the Contractor. • If the affidavit recommends revocation, the affidavit must include the circumstances under which revocation is being recommended. • In any case where the sentencing Court 's jurisdiction has been lost pr io r to all conditions of probation being satisfied by the probationer, the Contractor shall transmit a letter on Contractor's letterhead to the County Judge, outlining in detail the efforts made by the Contractor to seek compliance with the terms/conditions of probation. • Employees and Subcontractors Prior to the time the contract is executed, the Contractor shall submit to the County a list of the names of all employees, including those of any subcontractors or in dependent contractors to be used by the Contractor, if any. • The Contractor shall sub mit an updated list not less than once per year. • The Contractor shall submit any proposed changes in subcontractors for prior approval by the County. -- 16 of 20 -- RFQ 2022-K Misdemeanor Supervision Services M. • Contractor's Financial Records In addition to maintaining the individual case files, The Contractor shall maintain financial records, capable of being audited, of all fines, restitutions, and supervision fees received, expended, and disbursed by the Contractor. • An annual financial report, audited and certified by a lice nsed, independent Certified Public Accountant, shall be provided to the County within 120 days following the close of the Contractor 's fiscal year. • The certified financial report shall be in such detail as to disclose the revenues, expenses, and disbursements re la t ing to the services provided . • The Contractor shall also record and maintain statistical data concerning the number and types of cases being handled, term inated and completed; the number of visits; the hours of community service performed by offenders; the number of face- to face contacts, and such additional information as may be requi red by the County to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the Contractor's activities. • A quarterly report shall be submitted to the County Judge pursuit to Sec. 948.15(3), Florida Statutes. • Schedule of Fees for Service The Contractor shall provide a fee schedule for users of services provided by the Contracto r. • The Contractor shall have procedures for handling the collection of offender fees and restitution. • All funds, except Cost of Supervision, re ceived by Contractor shall be transmitted to the Clerk of Court. • Transition Plan The Contractor shall prepare and implement a transition plan, outlining objectives, action steps, responsible staff and target dates for completion. • The transition plan must reflect full operational status effective thirty (30) days following execution of contract. • To the extent possible, the Contractor shall assign each offender to an officer who shall maintain and be responsible for each case throughout its term. 3, All of the services requ ired herein shall be performed by the Contractor or under its supervision, and all personnel engaged in performing the services shall be fully -- 17 of 20 -- RFQ 2022-K Misdemeanor Supervision Services qualified and, if required authorized or permitted under state and local law to perform such services. 4. • All officers or supervisors hired for this contract must possess relevant experience in social work, community corrections, probation, or law enforcement. • A background check, including FCIC/NCIC check, and verification of relevant employment and claimed education shall be conducted on all newly hired officers and supervisors to determine that the person is of good character and has no felony or other convictions involving dishonesty or deceit. • Pursuant to Sec. 948. 15 (3)(b), Florida Statutes, criminal record checks of staff shall comply with standards established by the American Correctional Association. 5. • Each employee, officer, supervisor, and director, shall provide a signed affidavit, executed under oath, constituting an official statement within the purview of Sec . 837.06, Florida Statutes, that the information provided by the person for his or her application and/or background check is true and accurate, that there are no material omissions therein, and that the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. • These affidavits shall be maintained by the Contractor and made available to the County upon request. -- 18 of 20 -- Contractor shall submit any proposed changes in subcontractors for prior approval by the County. • Contractor's Flnanclal Records In addition to maintaining the individual case files, The Contractor shall maintain financial records, capable of being audited, of all fines, restitutions, and supervision fees received, expended, and disbursed by the Contractor. • An annual financial report, audited and certified by a licensed, Independent Certified Public Accountant, shall be provided to the County within 120 days following the close of the Contractor's fiscal year. • The certified financial report shall be in such detail as to disclose the revenues, expenses, and disbursements relating to the services provided. • The Contractor shall also record and maintain statistical data concerning the number and types of cases being handled, terminated and completed; the number of visits; the hours of community service performed by offenders; the number of face-to face contacts, and such additional information as may be required by the County to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the Contractor's activities. • A quarterly report shall be submitted to the County Judge pursuit to Sec. 948. 15(3), Florida Statutes. • Schedule of Fees for Service The Contractor shall provide a fee schedule for users of services provided by the Contractor. • All funds , except Cost of Supervision, received by Contractor shall be transmitted to the Clerk of Court. • Transition Plan The Contractor shall prepare and Implement a transition plan outlining objectives, action steps, responsible staff and target dates for completion. • The transition plan must reflect full operational status effective thirty (30 ) days following execution of contract.
WHEREAS, certain misdemeanor defendants are sentenced to terms of probation by the Columbia County Court (hereinafter referred to as the "Court"): and WHEREAS, Section 948.09, Florida Statutes, states that supervision, rehabilitation and probation services may be provided by a Court-approved private entity; and WHEREAS, Section 948.15, Fl orida Statutes, provides that any private entity providing services for the supervision of misdemeanor probationers must cont ra ct with the County in which the services are to be rendered, prescribing the terms of such contract; and WHEREAS, the Court seeks a private entity to provide certain probation services for the efficient administration of justice wi th in this county;
Reviewer note: Document sha256: 01c0bd8db2c2b0bc9d13d2c2dd53ff0c8feb6e356fad0d9451fc6800bad9b079 (3121174 bytes).
25 verbatim mandatory provisions from AO 2022-004.
10 verbatim mandatory provisions from AO 2014-025.
The 17th Circuit's circuit-wide AI disclosure/certification mandate (Jan 2026, twice amended) was VACATED in its entirety effective June 15, 2026 by Chief Judge Phillips's AO 2026-19-Gen, expressly citing the statewide framework (AOSC26-12; Rule 2.515(d)(2), SC2026-0673). Several division procedure pages still cite the vacated order.