The County Commission discussed the cost-share between the state and county governments for juvenile detention expenses during its Tuesday-morning discussion meeting. State Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, has filed Senate Bill 1532, which would set up a 50/50 cost-share between the state and the counties for these expenses.
That’s lower than the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s proposal, which would have the counties cover 57 percent of the cost, Communications Coordinator Mark Sexton told the commission Tuesday. That 57-percent split is reflected in Gov. Rick Scott’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.
The counties won a lawsuit that determined the state DJJ wasn’t billing them properly. The state owes them money for previous overcharges. Alachua County is owed nearly $1 million for fiscal year 2013, The Sun previously reported.
The County Commission voted Tuesday in support of the 50/50 cost-share option. It also supported the Florida Association of Counties’ efforts to negotiate the repayment of past DJJ overpayments by the counties.
More details on the DJJ issue are available on the county’s meeting agenda.