SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT HEARING OFFICER APPOINTMENT
AND PROGRAM FUNDING
Whereas, the Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit is authorized to appoint such number of support enforcement hearing officers for the circuit or any county within the circuit as are necessary to expeditiously address proceedings for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of child support, and the enforcement of any support order for a custodial parent in conjunction with an ongoing child support or child support arrearage order ("child support proceedings") pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.491.
Whereas, counties are required to provide appropriate courtrooms, facilities, equipment and, unless provided by the state, personnel necessary to operate the circuit and county courts. § 43.28, Fla. Stat. Through the Board of County Commissioners of Alachua County, the Chief Judge has authorized a contract with the State of Florida, Department of Revenue, to fund a majority of the cost of the Support Enforcement Hearing Officer Program. It is therefore
ORDERED
APPOINTMENT OF HEARING OFFICERS
1. One full-time and two part-time Support Enforcement Hearing Officers are necessary to address child support enforcement proceedings in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Samuel P. Stafford, Esq., is appointed as the full-time Support Enforcement Hearing Officer for Alachua County; and Harvey E. Baxter, Esq., is appointed as the part-time Support Enforcement Hearing Officer for Baker, Bradford, and Union Counties; and Sheree H. Lancaster, Esq., is appointed as the part-time Support Enforcement Hearing Officer for Levy and Gilchrist Counties. The Support Hearing Officers shall perform the duties and possess such powers as provided by Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.491.
2. The Clerks of Court in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy
and Union Counties shall refer child support proceedings to the Support
Enforcement Hearing Officer appointed for their respective counties, which
will be conducted pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.491.
PROGRAM FUNDING
3. Each county of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, through their respective Boards of County Commissioners, shall contribute their pro rata share of the local match for the Support Enforcement Hearing Officer Program per fiscal year based on the latest population estimate.
4. This order replaces Administrative Order No. 5.880 (D), entered on April 19, 1996.
ORDERED on February 10, 2003.
_/s/_______________________________
STAN R. MORRIS, CHIEF JUDGE