Legislators gear up for court funding challenges.

Legislators expect to make some hard decisions about the state's impending takeover of more funding for trial courts in next year's legislative session, but the hardest task--coming up with the money--likely won't happen until 2004.

Meanwhile, the state court system has identified its "core" functions and expects soon to come up with the costs of maintaining those activities.

In 1998, voters approved a constitutional amendment mandating that the state take over from counties more funding of county and circuit courts, no later than July 1, 2004. Counties are supposed to pay for little more than of ice space and related upkeep and maintenance, while the state takes over juror costs, conflict attorney pay, equipment, and other expenses. Some estimates put the cost around $500 million.

That's a stiff enough bill for a state budget that various estimates had $1 to $2 billion in the red for the coming year. On top of that, the Department of Children and Families is seeking an increase of more than $400 million to deal with low pay, foster care, and child abuse investigation problems. And in November, voters approved two constitutional amendments. One provides for universal pre-K education for anyone who wants it, and is expected to cost several hundred, million dollars. The second limits classroom sizes and is projected to add $1 to $2 billion to the state budget annually for the next several years.

"It's more than likely that we will put together the final plan this year, and the funding will be put off until next year," said Sen. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville, who is expected to play a major role in the Senate's approach to the court fiscal issue. "I won't say all of the funding will be put off, but given some of the other amendments that passed [last month], it's likely most of the funding will be in 2004."

Even putting together a plan is a daunting task, given the number of players involved. Not only does it include the court system, but counties, court clerks, public defenders, and state attorneys all have stakes in the outcome.

To help sort things out, the legislature has hired MGT of America to sift through different county and circuit accounting systems and take a look at how the court and various entities function and interact. It's initial report is due January 15, and Rep.

Dudley Goodlette R-Naples, said that will let lawmakers know where to start.

"If with that information we feel we're far enough along and informed enough, we can begin to...