Commissioners dispute $30,500 audit assessment tied to Florida Crown program

Commissioner Jones told the Board of County Commissioners on March 16 that the Florida Department of Commerce completed an audit of the Florida Crown program and that the state is seeking $30,500 from Union County related to alleged misappropriations.

Jones said county officials met with state representatives and pushed back, arguing the county and partners had helped identify issues and that local records suggest portions of the questioned spending were covered by the Union County School Board. "We now owe them $30,500," Jones said, and later called the entity's behavior "crooked" in describing the larger scandal, but he said the county intends to work with legal counsel and local partners to verify records before paying.

Other commissioners said recovery of funds should target individuals who misused funds, and the county attorney indicated further legal review and coordination with affected institutions would follow. No vote was taken; commissioners said staff and counsel would pursue documentation and next steps.