ITQ# Special Magistrate Services for Code Enforcement & School Zone Speed Detection Hearings

The City of Homestead seeks to engage a qualified professional to serve as Special Magistrate to preside over hearings for (1) school zone speed limit violations detected through the City’s Speed Detection Systems, and (2) general code enforcement violations under Chapter 7 of the City Code. The selected vendor will conduct hearings, review evidence, subpoena witnesses, take sworn testimony, and issue legally binding orders to adjudicate violations. Compensation will be based on a per-hearing rate of $125 per hour, with a cap of $750 per hearing. Sec. 7-5. - Special master system created; qualifications; terms; removal. (a) All special masters shall be appointed by the city council. Preference shall be given to individuals who are residents of the City, owners of businesses within the City, or persons employed within the City. A special master shall be either: (1) A member in good standing with the Florida Bar; or (2) Retired law enforcement officer (only eligible for selection as a Special Master in the School Zone Enforcement Program); Notwithstanding the foregoing qualifications, any individual duly appointed and serving as special master prior to the effective date of this ordinance may continue to serve and be reappointed by the city council. (b) Special masters shall be selected on the basis of experience and interest in the fields of code compliance and shall possess outstanding reputations for civic pride, integrity, responsibility and business or professional ability. (c) The city manager or designee shall appoint as many special masters as are deemed necessary subject to approval of the city council. Appointments shall be made for a term of two (2) years. Any special master may be reappointed at the discretion of the city manager, subject to ratification by the city council. There shall be no limit on the number of reappointments that may be given to any individual special master; provided, however, that a determination as to removal or reappointment must be made for each special master at the end of each two-year term. Appointments to fill any vacancy shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. (d) Special masters shall not be city employees but shall be compensated at a rate of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per hearing hour, with a maximum compensation of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) per hearing. For the purposes of this section, a "hearing" is defined to mean all cases brought before the special master during one (1) session. (e) Special masters may be removed from office by the city manager with or without cause. (f) Hearings before the special master shall occur no less frequently than once a month, but may occur as often as necessary. (g) Minutes shall be maintained of all hearings conducted by the special master, and shall be open to the public. (h) The special master shall have jurisdiction of only those cases assigned by the city manager or designee.