Feds to Palm Beach County: Repay up to $3.2 million in hurricane aid

Jan. 26--WEST PALM BEACH -- Palm Beach County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to give back $341,858 in storm cleanup money, and might owe as much as $3.28 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Florida Division of Emergency Management had given more than $120 million to the county to help recover from 2004's hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, 2005's Hurricane Wilma, and 2008's Tropical Storm Fay.

The federal Department of Homeland Security later did an audit that disallowed:

-- Claims in which the county also got insurance payments

-- Claims in which FEMA determined the county should have been paid by insurers

-- Discrepancies between estimated and actual expenses

-- Duplications of reimbursements

The county is appealing $2.94 million of the $3.28 million. Of the $341,858 it must pay back, $162,779 of that is related to the Solid Waste Authority, and that agency will repay the amount directly, county Budget Director Elizabeth Bloeser said in an agenda memo. The county's $199,172 will come from its general fund, the memo said.

Todd Bonlarron, the county's legislative lobbyist, told commissioners Tuesday he's working with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach -- who was West Palm Beach mayor from 2003 to 2011 -- -- on the appeal to FEMA.

FEMA also has pursued the South Florida Water Management District, the county School District, and several municipalities, including Lake Worth.

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