Leon County adopts ordinance allowing automated speed detection in school zones, 6-1

The Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1 to adopt an ordinance authorizing automated speed detection devices in designated county school zones following a public hearing and amendments on notice and appeals.

The ordinance, as amended, requires vendor selection through an RFP and a public education campaign before citations are issued. County staff and the county attorney told the board that the program would operate within Florida law, that photographic evidence must be reviewed by law enforcement before notices are mailed, and that enforcement is limited to statutorily authorized school‑zone time periods.

Two members of the public addressed the commission during the hearing. Richard Saliba, an attorney, said he believes the program raises constitutional and fairness concerns and urged clearer notice to drivers — notably keeping or operating flashing beacons when cameras are active so motorists have visible warning. David Darby also said the county should prioritize public education and questioned around‑the‑clock enforcement, saying mailed citations can feel like a "blindside" to residents.

Commission discussion focused on statutory limits, notice, appeal rights and implementation. The county attorney described the statutory options for designating enforcement periods — including 30 minutes before and after breakfast programs, 30 minutes before and after the start and end of the regular school day, or the entire school day if the jurisdiction opts in — and explained that jurisdictions may use permanent signs showing times or flashing beacons as the alternative. The attorney said law enforcement reviews photographic evidence before a notice of violation is mailed; if law enforcement cannot validate a violation, no notice is sent. Once a notice is mailed, the recipient may appeal to a special magistrate for an administrative hearing; the ordinance as amended will expressly state the hearing officer has discretion to weigh evidence. If a recipient does not pay or appeal within the statutory period, the county will convert the administrative notice into a citation that is forwarded to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

Commissioners added several amendments before the final vote: making the hearing officer's discretion explicit in the ordinance language; requiring clear notice that failure to pay or appeal may lead to forwarding to DHSMV; and committing to a public education/media campaign during the pre‑implementation period (the county attorney noted state law already requires at least a 30‑day notice period). The board also directed staff to return with the RFP and implementation details, including how warnings and any phase‑in will be handled.

Commissioner Maddox made the motion to adopt the ordinance (staff recommendation); Commissioner O'Keefe seconded. The motion passed 6-1, with Commissioner Proctor voting in opposition.

The county attorney also summarized the statutory distribution of revenues from each citation that the board discussed during the hearing: a specified portion is remitted to state accounts and specified portions are retained by the county and school district for program administration and related uses. The board and staff repeatedly framed the program as safety‑oriented and revenue neutral for county operations; staff said projected county receipts would be used to cover program costs and related safety initiatives.

Implementation steps: if the ordinance takes effect as adopted, staff will issue an RFP for vendor selection and return to the board with vendor recommendations and operational details. Staff also affirmed plans for a public information campaign ahead of enforcement.