SUBJECT
title
Approve commerce agreement No. MS024 between State of Florida Department of Commerce and Polk County, for Federally Funded Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program Subrecipient Agreement (one-time revenue of $70,000,000.00).
body
DESCRIPTION
Hurricane Milton (Category 5, October 2024) and Several storms from 2023 and 2024, devastated the state of Florida, each bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall and severe flooding to many parts of the state.
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the State of Florida will receive $925,394,000 in funding to support long-term recovery efforts following the impacts of severe weather events in 2023 and 2024 through the Florida Department of Commerce’s (Florida Commerce) Office of Long-Term Resiliency (OLTR). Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding is designed to address needs that remain after all other assistance has been exhausted. Florida Commerce's Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program has been allocated $400 million to fund infrastructure restoration and improvement projects in communities impacted by the 2023 and 2024 Storms.
Fall of 2025, Polk County applied to Florida Commerce. Subsequently Polk County has been awarded $70,000,000.00 of CDBG-DR funding to implement a comprehensive, regional infrastructure and mitigation initiative designed to address flooding, stormwater management, and water quality impacts exacerbated by the 2023-2024 storm season.
The agreement details expected deliverables, for project implementation, environmental and engineering services, water infrastructure repair: construction, 21st century water quality improvement solution: construction, Peace Creek Headwaters restoration: construction.
Overall, this project encompasses multiple coordinated project components across the Lake Hancock basin, including Lake Gibson, Lake Parker, Lake Bonny, Saddle Creek, and the headwaters of the Peace River. Project activities include rehabilitation and retrofitting of stormwater infrastructure and pump stations; expansion of flood storage capacity through infrastructure improvements and strategic land acquisition from willing sellers; restoration of headwater areas to improve natural flood attenuation; and implementation of advanced water quality improvements, including algae harvesting and nutrient reduction measures.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve commerce agreement No. MS024 between State of Florida Department of Commerce and Polk County, for Federally Funded Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program Subrecipient Agreement (one-time revenue of $70,000,000.00).
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget will be established during the FY 26/27 budget and CIP process.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net