BARTOW, Fla. (AP) — Polk County commissioners voted unanimously to join in a joint appeal against the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to recover $4.8 million the agency overbilled the county since 2009.
The Lakeland Ledger (http://bit.ly/15sLac ) reports that the county intervened in a lawsuit last year in which the counties prevailed, but County Attorney Michael Craig said DJJ didn't comply with a settlement. After first agreeing to repay $4.8 million, Craig said DJJ officials are now only willing to pay $1.3 million.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd took over housing juveniles in 2011, following a change in state law for which he had lobbied. Judd argued Polk County could reduce its costs by taking over the operation from DJJ.
