SUBJECT
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Authorization to Submit the Annual SWFWMD Cooperative Funding Agreement Program Applications for the Southeast and West Polk Wellfield Projects for FY2026 (Action)
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DESCRIPTION
During the first week of October every year the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) receives applications for new and continued funding through their Cooperative Funding Initiative for the subsequent fiscal year.
In 2020 the PRWC submitted a Cooperative Funding application for the Southeast Wellfield project which was approved by SWFWMD in two parts - the Water Production Facility (Q184) and Transmission Mains (Q216). Work under these two funding agreements is currently underway. Applications for continued annual funding need to be made each year. The District funding requests are based on the annual allocations developed with the District at the inception of these co-funding agreements. The total District funding, also known as a ‘cap’, has not changed across the projects. This item requests approval to submit an application to SWFWMD for each project (Q184 and Q216) for approximately $38.1M and $30.2M, respectively, of District grant funds for continued funding for FY2026. Corresponding PRWC funds are provided primarily through the WIFIA loan.
In 2021 the PRWC ratified the submission of the Cooperative Funding application for the West Polk project (Q308) for $107,052,000, which was approved by the SWFWMD and work under this funding agreement commenced in late 2023. Applications for continued annual funding need to be made each year. This item also requests approval to submit an application to SWFWMD for approximately $15.5M of District funds for continued funding for FY2026 for the West Polk project. Corresponding PRWC funds are provided through the WIFIA loan.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the submission of the SWFWMD Cooperative Funding Applications for Southeast LFA Wellfield Water Production Facility and Transmission System, and for the West Polk LFA Wellfield Project for FY2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will request grant funding of approximately $83.8M from the SWFWMD for FY2026.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Katie Gierok