Fed Wants Gulf Shores To Return Hurricane $

GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) - Officials in Gulf Shores have been told
that government auditors want the city to return nearly $9.8
million used for cleanup after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security has scrutinized city records for more than a
year. On Thursday, Gulf Shores received official notice that the
government's auditors have recommended that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency seek repayment of $9.73 million paid to the city
for debris cleanup after Ivan plus $65,526 in interest earned on
part of the money.
City Administrator Steve Garman says Gulf Shores will send a
group to Clanton in late April to meet with FEMA officials.
At issue is how Gulf Shores collected, cleaned and replaced the
sand that Ivan's surge forced from the beach and into streets,
driveways and yards.

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