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, including conducting audits, accessing records from various county entities, and issuing subpoenas. The bill also allows the clerk to pursue recovery of unlawfully expended public funds through circuit court actions. Additionally, it introduces section 28.52, which enables the county auditor to obtain accreditation as a 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 specifies that the clerk may not willfully and knowingly sign warrants for payments that exceed legal limits or are unauthorized by law or county ordinance. The bill also outlines the consequences for violations, including personal liability and potential misdemeanor charges. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 730 Filed: 129.09