Consultant and sheriff trade barbs / Tensions over tight Sarasota County budget lead to accusations
Source: By DOUG SWORD, Herald Tribune (FL), September 18, 2007
A $600,000 increase in the cost to provide medical services to jail inmates has spawned accusations between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the consultant who was in charge of negotiating the deal.
The allegations surround Sheriff Bill Balkwill's decision last month to switch health care providers in the jail. Prison Health Systems, which has had the contract for five years and charged $2.4 million for this year, is out. Armor Correctional Services will be the new provider as of Oct. 1.