SUBJECT
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Combined Projects Future Budget (Information)
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DESCRIPTION
The PRWC Combined Projects Implementation Agreement was executed by the PRWC members in March 2017 for the purpose implementing approved candidate projects. In 2017 the PRWC identified five candidate projects, four of which (the Southeast and West Polk Lower Floridan aquifer (LFA) projects, the Peace Creek Integrated Surface Water Supply project, and the Peace River Surface Water Supply project) were included in the Agreement. The fifth candidate project is the Alafia River.
To date, the Combined Projects Implementation Agreement has been used to investigate project feasibility and costs, typically to the 30% design level of these four projects under a process known as Phase 1 (Section 8 of the Implementation Agreement - Project Implementation). Once a project has been approved by the PRWC Board of Directors, it enters the construction phase, which is known as Phase 2 and a specific implementation agreement Project Board, and budget is established to handle construction, operation and funding of the project.
Two projects have currently entered Phase 2: 1) the Southeast Lower Floridan Aquifer Wellfield Project, and 2) the West Polk Lower Floridan Aquifer Wellfield Project. An additional two projects are still in Phase 1: 1) The Peace Creek Integrated Surface Water Supply Project and 2) the Upper Peace Surface Water Project. Although it has not been added to the Combined Projects Agreement, the Alafia River is also being assessed as a future alternative water supply source. Additionally, since 2017 several other potential water supply options have come to light.
The current Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Combined Projects budget only contains funds for the final stages of the West Polk test production well construction (TPW-2). It was originally anticipated additional funds would not be needed for the FY2027 Combined Projects Budget, except to re-pay interest and loan costs. However, over the past 12 months, several existing and new opportunities have emerged that require PRWC investigation and investment including:
1) A potential Peace River reservoir feasibility investigation using Mosaic property;
2) The need to apply for a Water Use Permit on the Upper Peace River for the Peace River Project due to the Peace River Cooperation Settlement Agreement with the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. The PRWC needs to apply for a permit by February 26, 2029 under the terms of the settlement;
3) A potential investigation of possible water availability at the TECO Polk Power Station;
4) The need to begin a five-year Regional Water Supply Planning process;
5) Support of the Alafia River Water Use Permit and preliminary design and monitoring work; and
6) Funds for other technical items/opportunities that emerge.
In order to adequately investigate these options in fiscal year 2027, PRWC staff would like to budget additional funds in the FY2027 Combined Projects Budget. PRWC staff and consultants will be developing specific budgets for the items listed above and will present these to the PRWC Combined Project Board during the budget process for FY2027.
RECOMMENDATION
This is an information item, and no action is required by the Board.
FISCAL IMPACT
PRWC staff and consultants will be developing budget costs for the Combined Projects budget over the next several months. It is anticipated that approximately $1,000,000 will be needed in FY2027 for the identified items.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eric DeHaven