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Hardee County agrees to $500,000 contribution for Polk County medical examiner expansion
Summary
Polk County officials told the Hardee County commission the regional medical examiner facility needs a roughly $15.5 million expansion; commissioners unanimously authorized an interlocal agreement committing Hardee to its $500,000 share, payable over two fiscal years.
Polk County Deputy County Manager John Bodie told the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners that a study and design work show the region’s medical examiner facility needs to expand and be renovated to meet growing demand. Bodie said the project would add roughly 12,000 square feet to the existing 12,500‑square‑foot facility and that total project costs are currently estimated at about $15.5 million.
Bodie, speaking on behalf of the tenth Judicial Circuit facility, said Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties share workload at the facility, with Polk carrying roughly 80–85% of the caseload, Highlands about 8–10% and Hardee roughly 3–5%. Based on those proportions, Polk requested Hardee County commit $500,000 toward the project over two fiscal years; Highlands County has committed $1.5 million and Polk said it secured a $3 million state appropriation. Bodie told the board Polk will absorb any cost overruns beyond the current estimate.
Chairman Flores and multiple commissioners said they supported the interlocal agreement as a practical way to ensure the region’s medical‑examiner capacity keeps pace with population and workload growth. Commissioner comments praised the project’s planning and asked to be kept updated during design and construction phases.
The board moved, seconded and approved the interlocal agreement unanimously, with the manager and county attorney authorized to finalize documents in substantially the presented form. Commissioners were told the county has budgeted $250,000 in the current year as Hardee’s first contribution and would fund the remainder in the next fiscal year as planned.
The county manager said staff will coordinate with Polk County for any ceremonial opportunities and will be kept informed as design and construction schedules firm up.
