Unambiguous Statute In Florida

An unambiguous statute is not subject to construction; it must be given its plain and ordinary meaning. See Streeter v. Sullivan, 509 So. 2d 268, 271 (Fla. 1987); Mayo Clinic Jacksonville v. Department of Professional Regulation, Board of Medicine, 625 So. 2d 918, 919 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993). Thus, "inquiry into legislative intent may begin only where the statute is ambiguous on its face. "See Streeter, 509 So. 2d at 271. See also City of Safety Harbor v. Communications Workers of America, 715 So. 2d 265, 267 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998). The principles of statutory construction are entwined with the doctrine which provides that an agency's construction of a statute is entitled to great weight and will not be overturned unless clearly erroneous. Aslo See: State ex rel. Biscayne Kennel Club v. Board of Business Regulation, 276 So. 2d 823, 828 (Fla. 1973). See also Save the St. Johns River v. Water Management District, 623 So. 2d 1193, 1203 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993); Mayo Clinic Jacksonville v. Department of Profession Regulation, Board of Medicine, 625 So. 2d 918, 919 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993); Department of Natural Resources v. Wingfield Development Co., 581 So. 2d 193, 197 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991); Florida Department of Environmental Regulation v. C. P. Developers, Inc., 512 So. 2d 258, 261 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987); PW Ventures, Inc. v. Nichols, 533 So. 2d 281, 283 (Fla. 1988).