This bill establishes the clerk of the circuit court as the county auditor, granting them the authority and responsibility to oversee the use of county funds and prevent illegal expenditures. It creates a new section, 28.51, in the Florida Statutes, detailing the powers of the county auditor, which include conducting audits, accessing records from various county entities, and issuing subpoenas. The bill also allows the county auditor to pursue recovery of unlawfully expended public funds through circuit court actions. Additionally, it introduces section 28.52, which designates the county auditor as the county inspector general, empowering them to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse related to county funds.

The bill amends section 129.09 of the Florida Statutes to clarify the responsibilities of the clerk acting as the county auditor, specifically prohibiting them from signing warrants for illegal payments. It emphasizes that the clerk must not willfully and knowingly authorize payments that exceed legal limits or are not authorized by law. The bill includes provisions for the county inspector general to coordinate investigations and manage whistleblower complaints, further enhancing accountability within county government. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 730 Filed: 129.09