Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental Planning & Comm. Resilience
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2020-550 of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners authorizing the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department to file a long-range budget plan and funding request with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for projects to mitigate beach erosion in Broward County; supporting the projects for which funding is requested; confirming Broward County’s ability to serve as local sponsor for projects and the County’s ability to fund the appropriate local share of projects; providing for severability; and providing an effective date. (Commission Districts 4, 6 and 7)
body
Why Action is Necessary
The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires a resolution from the governing body of the entity requesting State Beach Erosion Control Program funding, and Board action is required to adopt the requested resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Fulfills the state requirement for a resolution affirming support for the projects for which funding is requested and confirming the ability of the applicant to provide the local share of the costs.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s Value of “Encouraging investment in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection” and Goal 2: Proactively lead in the planning, design and construction of projects to support community resilience and climate adaptation by ensuring that publicly accessible beaches are sufficient in dimension (i.e. >75 feet in width) to provide storm protection, recreational opportunities, and sea turtle nesting habitat.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requires that local agencies requesting State Beach Erosion Control funding provide a current resolution by its governing body which affirms support for the projects as part of its long range budget plan and indicates its ability to provide local project cost share. The projects for which future funding is being requested are the design and permitting for Segment III beach nourishment and the Segment II mitigation reef construction. FDEP requires that each annual funding request include estimated costs for ten years into the future; however, each subsequent annual request can modify the figures as needed. FDEP uses each annual funding request to rank requested projects and assembles a project priority list for submission to the Florida Legislature for funding for the upcoming Fiscal Year. The Florida Legislature generally allocates available program funding consistent with the FDEP priority list. State funding amounts for the Beach Management Funding Assistance Program are contingent on sufficient State of Florida documentary stamp revenues and upon Legislative appropriations of those funds.
For Broward’s projects, the state has typically contributed approximately 25% of the cost of projects that are eligible for Federal reimbursement (historically 50% to 60% of costs), with the remainder the responsibility of local governments. The County’s Adopted Fiscal Year 2020-2024 Beach Renourishment Capital Program (Exhibit 2) reflects an anticipated percentage of Federal funds in the future based on recent and current Federal political and economic policies. Historical 10-year plans have reflected a significant Federal cost share which has supported higher priority ranking the state funding process.
Neither this resolution, nor any funding request to FDEP, nor any successful Legislative appropriation of funds, nor a subsequent funding agreement with FDEP for encumbering the state funds, limit the County’s discretion in allocating local funds, or otherwise obligates the County to make expenditures of funds for the projects.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer and Deputy Director, Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, 954-519-1464
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The County’s Adopted Five-Year Capital Program provides for the County to fund all costs that are not reimbursed by the Federal Government, the state, and applicable municipalities, as shown in Exhibit 2. The County’s share is funded primarily with Tourist Development Taxes.