The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking applications from county residents to serve on the Children's Services Council (CSC). Applications are available online at MyEscambia.com or in person at the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, located at 221 Palafox Place, 4th floor. The application consists of several parts: an Escambia County CSC application, a questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments and an optional resume. Both applications must be completed and submitted together to be considered for an appointment. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2022, by 5 p.m. CST.
Resumes and both applications may also be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or by mail to:
Jose Gochez, Program Coordinator
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1591
Pensacola, FL 32502
On Nov. 3, 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children Services Council to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children's Trust of Escambia County will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The CSC is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs, which must then be submitted to the Board. The CSC, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the Board as required by Florida law.
To be considered for the CSC, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24-month period and are willing to submit an annual Statement of Financial Interests Form. Florida Statutes also require that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the county’s population.
After the application deadline of Nov. 15, 2022, has passed, the eligible applicants will be compiled for the Board’s consideration during the Dec. 8, 2022, meeting. The Board of County Commissioners will nominate six applicants to be submitted to the Governor for review and potential appointment.
Following the Board’s selection, the County Administrator will then send a letter to the Governor and the Governor’s Appointments Office with the list of six nominees to be considered for appointment to the CSC. All of candidates will be notified of their nomination. In accordance with Florida Statutes, the Governor then has 45 days to make a selection or request a new list of candidates.
Per Section 125.901, Florida Statutes, the Children’s Services Council (CSC) shall consist of 10 members, including:
- The superintendent of schools;
- A School Board member as appointed by the School Board;
- The Department of Children and Families District Administrator, or his or her designee;
- A judge assigned to juvenile cases as appointed by the Chief Judge;
- A County Commissioner as appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; and
- Five members appointed by the Governor from candidates nominated by the Board of County Commissioners to serve a four-year term.
Original source can be found here.
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