Florida House of Representatives

Representative Janet H. Adkins

District 11
Second District Office:
Room #110
11 North 3rd Street
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 246-0532

District Office:
905 S. 8th Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
(904) 491-3664
(904) 491-3666 Fax
Email: janet.adkins@myfloridahouse.gov

December 10, 2014

The Honorable Rick Scott
Governor of Florida
The Capitol Plaza 01
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Dear Governor Scott,
I am writing you today on behalf of my constituents to ask for your help in seeking a review and
investigation by the Chief Inspector General and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
(FDLE) of the Fire and Police Pension fund in Duval County.
This investigation is necessary so we may address growing concerns centered on the fire and
police pension funds and how these funds have been managed. The many reports by the Florida
Times-Union (some included) create an appearance of impropriety, raise issues of questionable
practices and possible mismanagement of the fire and police pension fund. 1, 2, 3
It is clear the public trust has been broken. City Councilmembers and constituents are voicing
their concerns that special pension funds were created without the city councils feedback and at
the taxpayers expense. Additionally the Florida Times-Union articles outline the structure of
the pension plan and details how the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) accounts create a
significant financial burden to the taxpayers. 4, 5, 6
I would specifically ask the FDLE and the Chief Inspector General to investigate the following:
1. Have all rules and laws of the State of Florida been followed in regards to the creation,
management and funding of the Fire and Pension Plan in Duval County? Specifically,
were the rules and laws of the State of Florida followed in relation to the creation of a
special pension plan that was designed for only one or two beneficiaries?
Committees and Subcommittees:
K 12 Subcommittee (Chair) Education Committee Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Rules and Calendar Committee Choice and Innovation Subcommittee

2. Have the rules and laws of the State of Florida been followed in regards to the creation,
management and regulation of the DROP accounts? Specifically, have the rules been
followed in regards to eligibility requirements into the DROP program? Are there
participants in the DROP program that were allowed to enter the program early or
allowed to stay in the program longer than the rules allow?
The restoration of public confidence in the management of the pensions for public service
employees such as fire fighters and police officers is imperative. Too many retired fire fighters
and police officers and their families depend on these benefits and a stable pension plan.
I believe that the first step in restoring public confidence in these pension plans is to gather the
facts and understand what circumstances allowed this crisis to arise.
I further believe that an independent investigation by the FDLE and the Chief Inspector General
will yield a balanced review that will allow lawmakers to craft a common sense solution to this
crisis and prevent future occurrences.
I will be filing legislation in 2015 to address any abuses that are uncovered but first must
determine whether the situation that affects us here in North Florida is a result of loopholes in
the law or individuals have conspired to misuse their positions or violate the law.
I look forward to your prompt response and written reply.
Sincerely,

Janet H. Adkins
State Representative 11th District
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Cc:

Kelley. E Jacksonville leaders learn pensionWeb. 15 November 2014

Monroe. N JEA: We cant afford Web. 17 November 2014
Bauerlein. D Pension fund board decidesWeb. 21 November 2014
Kelley. E Too much of a good thing...Florida Times Union. Web. 18 October 2014
Kelley. E The $5 Million CopFlorida Times Union. Web. 30 August 2014 and
Bauerlein. D Police and Fire Fund Florida Times Union. Web. 25 November 2014.

The Honorable Mayor Alvin Brown, City of Jacksonville

The Honorable Clay Yarborough, City Council President, District 1