LOI 26-098 Code Compliance Special Master and Alternate Special Master Services

Citrus County, Florida's Code Compliance Division is seeking two qualified attorneys to serve as Special Master and Alternate Special Master to conduct code enforcement hearings pursuant to Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes and applicable Citrus County ordinances including Chapter 19 (Code Enforcement Ordinance), Chapter 20 (Nuisance Ordinance), Chapter 106 (Waterways), and the Land Development Code. The primary deliverables include conducting monthly hearings on the third Wednesday at 9:00 am at the Citrus County Courthouse, hearing all assigned cases involving alleged code violations, issuing timely findings of fact and conclusions of law, and assessing administrative fines and enforcement costs consistent with statutory authority. Successful candidates must be Florida Bar members in good standing for a minimum of five years with demonstrated knowledge of Citrus County Code, Land Development Code, Chapter 162 Florida Statutes, and a reputation for integrity, responsibility, and professional ability. The County will evaluate responses based on respondent qualifications, compliance with prescribed requirements, additional terms and conditions, and proposed hourly rates, awarding to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Letters of Interest must be submitted through the OpenGov procurement portal by March 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm, with a public opening scheduled for 2:15 pm the same day via Microsoft Teams; the Board of County Commissioners is expected to approve the selection and award by April 14, 2026. Required submission documents include title pages, transmittal letters, resumes addressing background and qualifications, three professional references from the past five years, and proposed hourly rates.

The procurement contains no identified set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular enterprise categories such as disadvantaged or minority-owned businesses. Special Masters will be classified as independent contractors rather than County employees and may maintain private practice provided there are no conflicts of interest and private work does not interfere with County obligations. The initial contract term is one year from execution with options to renew for four additional one-year periods conditioned upon satisfactory performance, mutual agreement, and fund availability; either party may terminate with sixty days written notice, and the County may terminate with thirty days notice if funding becomes unavailable. No specific incumbent vendors, current contractors, or required technology integrations are identified in the procurement materials. Compensation will be established through an hourly rate specified in the executed agreement and paid in compliance with the Florida Prompt Payment Act; the specific hourly rate will depend on the pricing submitted by successful respondents, with award going to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.