§ 11.6-37. Use of proceeds.

(a)

Generally. The proceeds of the tax imposed herein and any interest thereon, shall be expended in Polk County, Florida, to provide health care services to qualified residents. For the purpose of this ordinance, the term "qualified resident" means residents of the authorizing county who maintain their primary residence and domicile in Polk County, Florida. In evaluating the residence of an individual otherwise qualified for this program, the board of county commissioners of Polk County, Florida, shall establish residency criteria designed to ensure that all recipients of assistance under this program are bona fide permanent residents of and are domiciled in Polk County, Florida. For purposes of the expenditure of the tax imposed herein, a "qualified resident" must be:

(1)

Qualified as indigent persons as certified by the authorizing county;

(2)

Certified by the authorizing county as meeting the definition of the medically poor, defined as persons having insufficient income, resources, and assets to provide the needed medical care without using resources required to meet basic needs for shelter, food, clothing, and personal expenses; not being eligible for any other state or federal program or having medical needs that are not covered by any such program; or having insufficient third-party insurance coverage. In all cases the authorizing county shall serve as the payor of last resort; or

(3)

Participating in innovative, cost-effective programs approved by the authorizing county.

(b)

The mandatory Medicaid contributions that Polk County is required to pay, pursuant to Section 409.915, Florida Statutes, for qualified residents, as authorized by AGO2005-54, may be paid from the proceeds of the tax imposed herein.

(Ord. No. 03-89, § 7, 12-3-03; Ord. No. 2011-005, § 2(7), 4-26-11)