Florida Statutes Title XLVI. Crimes § 870.042. Designation of local authority

(1) The sheriff of each of the several counties of this state, or such other county official having the duties of a sheriff in counties operating under home rule charter, by whatever name known, shall be empowered to declare that a state of emergency exists within the unincorporated areas of the county and to exercise the emergency powers conferred in ss. 870.041-870.047.

(2) The governing body of any municipality within this state may designate by duly adopted ordinance a city official who shall be empowered to declare that a state of emergency exists within the boundaries of the municipality and to exercise the emergency powers conferred in ss. 870.041-870.047. The designated city official shall be either the mayor or chief of police or the person who performs the duties of a mayor or chief of police in such municipality. In the absence of a duly adopted ordinance so designating the official so to act, the chief of police of such municipality is designated as the city official to assume the duties and powers hereof.