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2020 Florida Statutes
Chapter 145
COMPENSATION OF COUNTY OFFICIALS
COMPENSATION OF COUNTY OFFICIALS
CHAPTER 145
COMPENSATION OF COUNTY OFFICIALS
145.011 Legislative intent.
145.012 Applicability.
145.021 Definitions.
145.022 Guaranteed salary upon resolution of board of county commissioners.
145.031 Board of county commissioners.
145.051 Clerk of circuit court; county comptroller.
145.071 Sheriff.
145.09 Supervisor of elections.
145.10 Property appraiser.
145.11 Tax collector.
145.121 Other income to be income of the office.
145.131 Repeal of other laws relating to compensation; exceptions.
145.132 Repeal of other laws relating to compensation of district school board members.
145.14 Compensation of other county officials; guarantee.
145.141 Deficiency to be paid by board of county commissioners.
145.16 Special laws or general laws of local application prohibited.
145.17 Supplemental compensation prohibited.
145.19 Annual percentage increases based on increase for state career service employees; limitation.
145.011 Legislative intent.—
(1) In compliance with s. 5(c), Art. II of the State Constitution, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide for the annual compensation and method of payment for the several county officers named herein.
(2) The Legislature has determined that a uniform and not arbitrary and discriminatory salary law is needed to replace the haphazard, preferential, inequitable, and probably unconstitutional local law method of paying elected county officers.
(3) It is further the intent of this Legislature to provide by general law for such uniform compensation of county officials having substantially equal duties and responsibilities, taking into account the multitude of changes that have affected these offices within the past decade.
(4) The salary schedules in this chapter are therefore based on a classification of counties according to each county’s population, which the Legislature determines to be the most practical basis from which to arrive at an adequate, uniform salary system.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 67-576; s. 4, ch. 69-216; s. 1, ch. 69-346; s. 7, ch. 69-403.
145.012 Applicability.—This chapter applies to all officials herein designated in all counties of the state, except those officials whose salaries are not subject to being set by the Legislature because of the provisions of a county home rule charter and except officials (other than the property appraiser, clerk of the circuit court, superintendent of schools, sheriff, supervisor of elections, and tax collector who if qualified shall receive in addition to their salaries a special qualification salary as provided in this chapter) of counties which have a chartered consolidated form of government as provided in chapter 67-1320, Laws of Florida.
History.—s. 2, ch. 69-346; s. 15, ch. 73-173; s. 45, ch. 73-333; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 1, ch. 80-377.
145.021 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
(1) “Population” means the population according to the latest annual determination of population of local governments produced by the Executive Office of the Governor in accordance with s. 186.901.
(2) “Salary,” when referring to amounts payable under the schedules set forth in this chapter, means the total annual compensation to be paid to an official as personal income.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 3, ch. 69-346; s. 1, ch. 73-173; s. 89, ch. 79-190; s. 20, ch. 87-224.
145.022 Guaranteed salary upon resolution of board of county commissioners.—
(1) Any board of county commissioners, with the concurrence of the county official involved, shall by resolution guarantee and appropriate a salary to the county official, in an amount specified in this chapter, if all fees collected by such official are turned over to the board of county commissioners. Such a resolution is applicable only with respect to the county official who concurred in its adoption and only for the duration of such official’s tenure in his or her current term of office.
(2) A board of county commissioners, with the concurrence of the county official involved, may, by resolution, rescind any resolution adopted pursuant to subsection (1), effective only upon the conclusion of the current fiscal year of the county.
(3) This section shall not apply to county property appraisers or clerks of the circuit and county courts in the performance of their court-related functions.
History.—s. 4, ch. 69-346; s. 8, ch. 69-82; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 16, ch. 73-172; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 16, ch. 80-377; s. 2, ch. 88-158; s. 852, ch. 95-147; s. 37, ch. 2001-266; s. 86, ch. 2003-402.
145.031 Board of county commissioners.—
(1) Each member of the board of county commissioners shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the grouping times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 9,999 | $4,500 | $0.150 |
| II | 10,000 | 49,999 | 6,000 | 0.075 |
| III | 50,000 | 99,999 | 9,000 | 0.060 |
| IV | 100,000 | 199,999 | 12,000 | 0.045 |
| V | 200,000 | 399,999 | 16,500 | 0.015 |
| VI | 400,000 | 999,999 | 19,500 | 0.005 |
| VII | 1,000,000 | 22,500 | 0.000 | |
(2) No member of a governing body of a chartered county or a county with a consolidated form of government shall be deemed to be the equivalent of a county commissioner for the purposes of determining the compensation of such member under his or her respective charter.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each member of the board of county commissioners may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 1, ch. 67-543; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 5, ch. 69-346; s. 2, ch. 73-173; s. 853, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 2011-158.
145.051 Clerk of circuit court; county comptroller.—
(1) Each clerk of the circuit court and each county comptroller shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, a compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 49,999 | $21,250 | $0.07875 |
| II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 24,400 | 0.06300 |
| III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 27,550 | 0.02625 |
| IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 30,175 | 0.01575 |
| V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 33,325 | 0.00525 |
| VI | 1,000,000 | 36,475 | 0.00400 | |
(2)(a) There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary for each clerk of the circuit court who has met the certification requirements established by the Supreme Court. Any clerk of the circuit court who is certified during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year.
(b) In order to qualify for the special qualification salary provided by paragraph (a), the clerk must complete the requirements established by the Supreme Court within 6 years after first taking office.
(c) After a clerk meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain certified the clerk shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the Supreme Court.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each clerk of the circuit court and each county comptroller may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 5, ch. 69-346; s. 27, ch. 72-404; s. 4, ch. 73-173; s. 4, ch. 74-325; ss. 2, 12, ch. 80-377; s. 1, ch. 85-322; s. 1, ch. 88-175; s. 27, ch. 91-45; s. 854, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 2011-158.
145.071 Sheriff.—
(1) Each sheriff shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, a compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 49,999 | $23,350 | $0.07875 |
| II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 26,500 | 0.06300 |
| III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 29,650 | 0.02625 |
| IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 32,275 | 0.01575 |
| V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 35,425 | 0.00525 |
| VI | 1,000,000 | 38,575 | 0.00400 | |
(2)(a) There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary for each sheriff who has met the qualification requirements established by the Department of Law Enforcement. Any sheriff who so qualifies during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year.
(b) In order to qualify for the special qualification salary described in paragraph (a), the sheriff must complete the requirements specified in that paragraph within 6 years after first taking office.
(c) After a sheriff meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain qualified the sheriff shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the Department of Law Enforcement.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each sheriff may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 2, ch. 67-543; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 5, ch. 69-346; ss. 1-3, ch. 70-395; s. 5, ch. 73-173; s. 46, ch. 73-333; ss. 3, 13, ch. 80-377; s. 1, ch. 81-216; s. 5, ch. 85-322; s. 21, ch. 87-224; s. 1, ch. 89-178; s. 28, ch. 91-45; s. 855, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 2011-158.
145.09 Supervisor of elections.—
(1) Each supervisor of elections shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, a compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 49,999 | $21,250 | $0.07875 |
| II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 24,400 | 0.06300 |
| III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 27,550 | 0.02625 |
| IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 30,175 | 0.01575 |
| V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 33,325 | 0.00525 |
| VI | 1,000,000 | 36,475 | 0.00400 | |
(2) The above salaries are based upon a 5-day workweek. If a supervisor does not keep his or her office open 5 days per week, then the salary will be prorated accordingly.
(3)(a) There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary for each supervisor of elections who has met the certification requirements established by the Division of Elections of the Department of State. The Department of State shall adopt rules to establish the certification requirements. Any supervisor who is certified during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year.
(b) In order to qualify for the special qualification salary described in paragraph (a), the supervisor must complete the requirements established by the Division of Elections within 6 years after first taking office.
(c) After a supervisor meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain certified the supervisor shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the division.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each supervisor of elections may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 2, ch. 65-60; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 5, ch. 69-346; s. 1, ch. 70-429; s. 7, ch. 73-173; s. 2, ch. 79-327; ss. 6, 17, 22, ch. 80-377; s. 2, ch. 85-322; s. 4, ch. 88-175; s. 29, ch. 91-45; s. 856, ch. 95-147; s. 75, ch. 2005-277; s. 4, ch. 2011-158; s. 1, ch. 2016-157.
145.10 Property appraiser.—
(1) Each property appraiser shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, a compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 49,999 | $21,250 | $0.07875 |
| II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 24,400 | 0.06300 |
| III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 27,550 | 0.02625 |
| IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 30,175 | 0.01575 |
| V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 33,325 | 0.00525 |
| VI | 1,000,000 | 36,475 | 0.00400 | |
(2)(a) There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary for each property appraiser who has met the requirements of the Department of Revenue and has been designated a certified Florida property appraiser. Any property appraiser who is certified during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year. The department shall establish and maintain a certified Florida property appraiser program.
(b) In order to qualify for the special qualification salary described in paragraph (a), the property appraiser must complete the requirements established by the Department of Revenue within 4 years after first taking office.
(c) After a property appraiser meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain certified the property appraiser shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the department. The executive director of the Department of Revenue may, at his or her discretion, waive the requirements of this paragraph for any property appraiser who has reached 60 years of age and who has been a property appraiser for 20 years.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each property appraiser may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 3, ch. 67-543; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 1, ch. 67-594; s. 5, ch. 69-346; s. 15, ch. 73-172; s. 8, ch. 73-173; s. 1, ch. 77-102; ss. 7, 14, ch. 80-377; s. 3, ch. 85-322; s. 62, ch. 86-152; s. 3, ch. 88-175; s. 1, ch. 89-72; s. 857, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 2011-158.
145.11 Tax collector.—
(1) Each tax collector shall receive as salary the amount indicated, based on the population of his or her county. In addition, a compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate.
| Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |||
| I | -0- | 49,999 | $21,250 | $0.07875 |
| II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 24,400 | 0.06300 |
| III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 27,550 | 0.02625 |
| IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 30,175 | 0.01575 |
| V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 33,325 | 0.00525 |
| VI | 1,000,000 | 36,475 | 0.00400 | |
(2)(a) There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary for each tax collector who has met the requirements of the Department of Revenue and has been designated a certified Florida tax collector. Any tax collector who is certified during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year. The department shall establish and maintain a certified Florida tax collector program.
(b) In order to qualify for the special qualification salary described in paragraph (a), the tax collector must complete the requirements established by the Department of Revenue within 4 years after first taking office.
(c) After a tax collector meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain certified the tax collector shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the department.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, each tax collector may reduce his or her salary rate on a voluntary basis.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-461; s. 1, ch. 63-560; s. 1, ch. 65-356; s. 2, ch. 67-576; s. 5, ch. 69-346; s. 9, ch. 73-173; ss. 9, 15, ch. 80-377; s. 4, ch. 85-322; s. 2, ch. 88-175; s. 2, ch. 89-72; s. 858, ch. 95-147; s. 6, ch. 2011-158.
145.121 Other income to be income of the office.—
(1) Except for the salary receivable under this chapter, all fees, costs, salaries, commissions, extra compensation, or any other funds which are paid or payable to a county official or to the official’s office, either by law or on account of any service (including, for the purposes of this section, service arising out of official duties, ex officio duties, and private nonofficial acts) performed by the official for any agency or instrumentality of the state or of any county or municipality in the state, or for any officer, board, district, authority, or unit of state or local government, or for individuals, wherein any of the personnel, equipment, or space of the office is employed, shall be included as income of the office and shall not be retained by the county official as personal income. Nothing herein shall be construed as authorizing a county official to use his or her office or its personnel or property for a private purpose.
(2) Any board of county commissioners which prior to July 1, 1969, had not authorized an additional monthly expense allowance for the chair of the commission may authorize such an allowance of up to $50 per month for travel and other expenses related to the performance of his or her duties, and compensation shall not be considered as part of the chair’s income from office.
History.—s. 7, ch. 69-346; s. 1, ch. 70-419; ss. 1, 2, ch. 70-445; s. 1, ch. 72-240; s. 14, ch. 73-173; s. 1, ch. 74-325; s. 859, ch. 95-147.
145.131 Repeal of other laws relating to compensation; exceptions.—
(1) All local or special laws or general laws of local application enacted prior to July 1, 1969, which relate to compensation of county officials are repealed, except laws pertaining to travel expenses of county officers or to payment of extra compensation to the chairs of boards of county commissioners or district school boards.
(2) The compensation of any official whose salary is fixed by this chapter shall be the subject of general law only, except that the compensation of certain school superintendents may be set by school boards in accordance with the provisions of s. 1001.47.
(3) All or any portion of the payment of the costs of life, health, accident, hospitalization, or annuity insurance, as authorized in s. 112.08, for county officials and employees shall not be deemed to be compensation within the purview of this chapter; and all payments previously made from county funds for such purposes are hereby validated.
History.—s. 9, ch. 69-346; s. 1, ch. 72-111; s. 20, ch. 73-334; s. 7, ch. 83-215; s. 1, ch. 93-146; s. 860, ch. 95-147; s. 900, ch. 2002-387.
145.132 Repeal of other laws relating to compensation of district school board members.—All local or special laws or general laws of local application enacted prior to July 1, 1993, which relate to compensation of district school board members are repealed.
History.—s. 6, ch. 93-146.
145.14 Compensation of other county officials; guarantee.—
(1) Each county official whose compensation for his or her official duties is paid wholly or partly by fees or commissions, and whose compensation is not provided for herein shall receive as yearly compensation for official services from the whole or part of the fees or commissions so collected, the following sum only: all the net income from his or her office not to exceed $7,500 unless otherwise provided by law.
(2) With the concurrence of any county officer described by subsection (1), any board of county commissioners may by resolution guarantee and appropriate to that officer a salary not to exceed $9,600 in lieu of fees, if all fees collected are turned over to the board of county commissioners.
History.—s. 3, ch. 63-560; s. 10, ch. 69-346; s. 8, ch. 69-82; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 861, ch. 95-147; s. 38, ch. 2001-266.
145.141 Deficiency to be paid by board of county commissioners.—Should any county officer have insufficient revenue from the income of his or her office, after paying office personnel and expenses, to pay his or her total annual salary, the board of county commissioners shall pay any deficiency in salary from the general revenue fund and notify the Department of Financial Services. The deficiency shall be listed in the comptroller’s annual report of county finances and county fee officers.
History.—s. 8, ch. 69-346; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 862, ch. 95-147; s. 149, ch. 2003-261.
145.16 Special laws or general laws of local application prohibited.—
(1) The Legislature declares that the preservation of statewide uniformity of county officials’ salaries is essential to the fulfillment of the legislative intent expressed in this chapter and intends by this section to prevent any laws which would allow officials in individual counties to be excepted from the uniform classification provided in this chapter.
(2) Pursuant to s. 11(a)(21), Art. III of the State Constitution, the Legislature hereby prohibits special laws or general laws of local application pertaining to the compensation of the following officials:
(a) Members of the board of county commissioners;
(b) Clerk of the circuit court;
(c) Sheriff;
(d) Superintendent of schools;
(e) Supervisor of elections;
(f) Property appraiser;
(g) Tax collector; and
(h) District school board members.
History.—s. 1, ch. 69-211; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 2, ch. 93-146.
145.17 Supplemental compensation prohibited.—The compensation provided in chapter 145 shall be the sole and exclusive compensation of the officers whose salary is established therein for the execution of their official duties, and, except as specifically provided herein, the acceptance of salary for official duties as a result of other general or special law, general law of local application, resolution, or supplement or from any other source is a misdemeanor of the first degree punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 775.083.
History.—s. 10, ch. 73-173.
145.19 Annual percentage increases based on increase for state career service employees; limitation.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Annual factor” means 1 plus the lesser of:
1. The average percentage increase in the salaries of state career service employees for the current fiscal year as determined by the Department of Management Services or as provided in the General Appropriations Act; or
2. Seven percent.
(b) “Cumulative annual factor” means the product of all annual factors certified under this act prior to the fiscal year for which salaries are being calculated.
(c) “Initial factor” means a factor of 1.292, which is a product, rounded to the nearest thousandth, of an earlier cost-of-living increase factor authorized by chapter 73-173, Laws of Florida, and intended by the Legislature to be preserved in adjustments to salaries made prior to enactment of chapter 76-80, Laws of Florida, multiplied by the annual increase factor authorized by chapter 79-327, Laws of Florida.
(2) Each fiscal year, the salaries of all officials listed in this chapter, s. 1001.395, and s. 1001.47 shall be adjusted. The adjusted salary rate shall be the product, rounded to the nearest dollar, of the salary rate granted by the appropriate section of this chapter, s. 1001.395, or s. 1001.47 multiplied first by the initial factor, then by the cumulative annual factor, and finally by the annual factor. The Department of Management Services shall certify the annual factor and the cumulative annual factors. Any special qualification salary received under this chapter, s. 1001.47, or the annual performance salary incentive available to elected superintendents under s. 1001.47 shall be added to such adjusted salary rate. The special qualification salary shall be $2,000, but shall not exceed $2,000.
History.—s. 1, ch. 79-327; s. 19, ch. 80-377; s. 6, ch. 81-167; s. 5, ch. 83-55; s. 3, ch. 84-241; s. 1, ch. 88-42; s. 75, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 3, ch. 93-146; s. 901, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2004-41; s. 2, ch. 2007-234.