FEMA asks Baldwin Co. for millions

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency says reimbursements to Baldwin County for hurricane cleanup costs were excessive, and wants millions of dollars returned.

An Office of Inspector General report in December examined debris collection and disposal after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It said nearly $7.7 million in reimbursements for disposal costs at landfills was excessive, and challenged $1.6 million for stump removal and $1.1 million in interest.

A letter from FEMA to county officials last week reduced the disallowed disposal costs to about $3.5 million and cut the interest to about $656,000.

County Administrator Michael Thompson says county officials will consider whether to continue fighting the $5.8 million claim through an appeal or arbitration.