Funds in an account used by former Polk County Sheriff Chris Abril’s administration have been transferred to the needy fund used by the Polk County Department of Social Services (DSS).
The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday and approved transferring to DSS $1,093 from the former “narcotic” account, which had been closed by the current sheriff Donald Hill’s administration. DSS will use the funds to help with heating assistance for county residents.
Monday was the first time money from that account had ever flowed through county finances, according to Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson.
Whitson says no one knows where the money came from and he and Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill did not feel comfortable using it in any other way than to help those in need.
The U.S. Marshals Office and the district attorneys office have looked into the account and cleared it for use by the county, Whitson said.
The money will be used to provide heating assistance for the many county residents who are currently in need of assistance because of colder than normal weather and the economy. Several agencies are accepting donations as well to help out those in need, including the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the Tryon Fire Department, DSS and White Oak Manor.