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Citrus County Council, Inverness, Florida - Working to preserve the environment upon which the ecosystems of Citrus County depends for the benefit of its citizens

HOT TOPIC - Florida Issues

We would like to thank Senator Fasano for his email bringing this issue to our attention.

January 08, 2011

Atwater: Taj Mahal courthouse ’far worse‘ than a pricey building
By Lucy Morgan, St. Petersburg Times Senior Correspondent

Florida’s CFO says misleading bills were submitted to hide what was bought.

State auditors are questioning more than $1 million in bills submitted for the new $50 million courthouse built by the 1st District Court of Appeal.

"This is one of the great embarrassments for Florida government," new Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said of the building derided as Florida’s Taj Mahal. "The audacity and arrogance that was displayed in doing this and their continuing effort to hide the ball has been a complete disservice to hardworking Floridians who deserve better from public officials." …

No discount
Though the state was buying in quantity, newly released numbers show taxpayers did not get a break in buying electronics for the Taj Mahal courthouse.

$5,978
Price per 60-inch TV

$3,325
Price per 52-inch TV

$2,273
Price per 47-inch TV

$17,364
"Restocking fee" for state to return of 16 60-inch TVs, more than $1,000 a piece

$357,000
Cost to frame some 400 historical photos, about $890 each

Source: Office of Chief Financial Officer

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Last updated: May 3, 2011

Working to preserve the environment upon which the ecosystems of Citrus County depends for the benefit of its citizens