§ 2-13-39. Collection and disbursement of funds for cost recovery.

(a)

Agent for collection. The public safety department, or other department or person designated by the county administrator, shall serve as the county's agent for collecting invoices and billing the responsible party for costs in the unincorporated area. Agencies of the county and agencies responding to a hazardous material incident in the county according to the responsibilities set forth in the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (RS F-10 Hazardous Materials Response) [as amended] or at the request of the county are eligible to submit bills.

(b)

Procedure for submitting invoices. An invoice identifying eligible costs under this article shall be submitted to the public safety department, or other department or person designated by the county administrator, within a reasonable time after the cost was incurred or identified. Submitted invoices must include sufficient documentation for cost reimbursement (e.g. copies of time sheets for specific personnel, copies of bills for materials, equipment and supplies procured or used, etc.). Accepting invoices from agencies other than the county for collection by the county, shall not incur liability to the county to reimburse invoiced costs from such agencies until payment is received by the county from the responsible party. Provided that in no event shall the county have a legal obligation to collect or undertake collection efforts on behalf of any other entity.

(c)

Method of payment. The county public safety department, or other department or person designated by the county administrator, shall prepare and submit one or a series of consolidated invoices to the responsible party identifying agencies, agents and their specific costs or reimbursements. The responsible party shall issue a certified check made payable to the county or governmental entity that responded and submitted an invoice. The final payment will be made to Manatee County within sixty (60) days of receiving a consolidated invoice. The collected funds shall be deposited with the Clerk of the Court. The public safety department, or the department or person designated by the county administrator, shall prepare audit slips to each responding agency for disbursement of funds collected on their behalf by the clerk of the court.

(Ord. No. 14-41, § 12, 10-7-14)